"New facts that could constitute misdemeanour by Alexandre Benalla were brought to the president's attention," an official at the Elysee Palace told Reuters.
"As a result... the presidency has decided to start Alexandre Benalla's dismissal procedure," the official added. Benalla, who served as an assistant to Macron’s chief-of-staff, was identified from social media footage by French daily Le Monde on Wednesday.
He was seen hitting and choking demonstrators while wearing a police riot helmet at the annual day of protest. Benalla has since been detained for questioning in an assault inquiry, prosecutors confirmed to AP.
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