Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 19, 2003
• Invested on: September 12, 2003

On July 14, 2002, Mohamed Chelali risked his life to help abort an assassination attempt on the President of the French Republic, in Paris, France. Mr. Chelali was watching the traditional national holiday military parade on the Champs-Elysés when he saw a man, some two metres away, aim a rifle at the French President. Without hesitation, Mr. Chelali, joined by four other bystanders, tackled the man and, in the struggle that ensued, tried to grab the gun away. Unable to loosen the gunman's grip on the firearm, Mr. Chelali removed the magazine from the weapon. The assailant was then restrained until police arrived.