Experts clear French cops over death-in-custody case

French medical experts have exonerated three officers accused of heavyhandedness in the arrest of a black man who died in custody nearly four years ago, a source close to the investigation said.

Adama Traore, 24, did not die of “positional asphyxia”, said the expert report commissioned by state investigators, ruling out the officers pinning him to the ground as the cause of his demise.

Instead, the experts found Traore died of heart failure possibly brought on by underlying health conditions in a context of “intense stress” and physical exertion, as well as the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol – the active ingredient of cannabis – in his body.

The case, which sparked violent protests in Paris suburbs, became a rallying cry for police brutality in France, which young, black men say is often targeted at them.

Hundreds of youths in the tough northern Paris suburbs around Traore’s home rampaged for five nights after his death, clashing with police and setting vehicles on fire.

Their anger was fuelled by a delay in officials announcing that Traore had died in custody 90 minutes after his arrest, and the fact that he was still handcuffed when paramedics arrived.

One of the three officers had told investigators that Traore had been pinned down with their combined bodyweight after his arrest, raising questions about the methods used.

Traore, who had no criminal record, was apprehended in a house where he hid after leading police on a 15-minute chase.