French Men Allege Racist Attack in Rouen; Investigation Underway

Four French men have filed complaints with prosecutors in Rouen, alleging they were attacked by a group of around two dozen individuals while singing Catholic songs in public last Saturday. The men, all in their mid-20s, say they were surrounded, pelted with stones, and beaten until they lost consciousness. They were hospitalized with broken noses, cheekbones, and orbital bones.

According to the victims, the group had just finished a birthday dinner and was walking toward a fair when they were approached from behind by attackers dressed in black sweatshirts and balaclavas. The men say the attackers shouted slurs including "dirty whites" and "dirty fascists," and threatened to kill them. One victim described the scene as "apocalyptic" and said he saw his younger brother being beaten by 10 to 15 people.

A video of the incident circulating on social media appears to show a group of black-clad individuals chasing a white man and shouting racist insults. The victims described their attackers as North African and around 16 to 18 years old. The men filed complaints on Monday for "violence motivated by race, ethnicity, nationality or religion."

Rouen prosecutor Sébastien Gallois confirmed that investigators are reviewing surveillance footage. The case has drawn attention in France, where debates over immigration, identity, and religion are often tense. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects, and the investigation is ongoing.

The victims' account has been reported by French media, including Le Figaro and television interviews. One victim, Pierre-Alexis Michau, said the attackers had "hatred in their eyes" and described the assault as "a war scene." The men say they repeatedly told the attackers they meant no harm.

French law enforcement has not released further details. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and social cohesion in French cities. Prosecutors are treating the case as a potential hate crime, and the outcome will depend on the evidence gathered from footage and witness statements.