French President Emmanuel Macron has come under fire after his office suspended one of his aides who was caught on camera striking a May Day protester, but did not inform law enforcement authorities.
A video from a May Day rally released by Le Monde newspaper showed a man wearing a police helmet and identification tag dragging a woman away and then striking a demonstrator.
He was later recognised as a member of the French presidency staff.
The Paris prosecutor, which was unaware of the matter before today, launched a preliminary investigation against Alexandre Benalla on suspicion of violence, usurping the function of a police officer and using signs reserved for public authorities.
On a trip to southwestern France today, Mr Macron declined to answer questions from reporters on the subject.
After the 15-day suspension, Mr Benalla was brought back into the president's immediate entourage.
He appears in multiple Reuters' photos and videos alongside Mr Macron during public events.
