According to prosecutors on Thursday, three French police officers have been charged in connection to the murder of Mohammed Bendriss, a 27-year-old father expecting his second child, who was killed during nationwide mass protests following the cold-blooded murder of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk by two police officers in Paris on June 27.

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The office of the prosecutor detailed the charges will be with "armed violence unintentionally causing death."

Bendriss' autopsy report showed signs of impact from a blast ball shot commonly used by French police.  The public prosecutor has indicated that it is likely that Bendriss passed away due to a "violent shock to the thorax caused by a 'flash-ball' type projectile." This controversial police weapon is believed to have led to his cardiac arrest.

The officers are barred from contacting any of the case's plaintiffs or from participating in any police force dealing with riot control or large events. 

The Guardian reported Tuesday that five police officers in Marseille were taken into custody for questioning regarding his death. 

The officers are part of the elite Raid (Research, assistance, intervention, dissuasion) tactical unit and were among a total of 20 members from this unit who were interrogated.

Bendriss was reportedly riding his scooter in the city at the time of the protests. His lifeless body was discovered outside his mother's residence after he had become unwell. A subsequent postmortem examination revealed signs of chest trauma believed to have been inflicted by the French police's rubber bullet-firing weapon, referred to as an LBD (lanceur de balle de défense).

An official inquiry has been initiated into the cause of death through the "use or threat of a weapon." The prosecutor's statement noted that both law enforcement officers and civilians have provided testimonies in connection with the incident.

Kaouther Ben Mohamed, the president of Angry Marseille, an organization that orchestrated a protest march following Nahel's shooting, said Bendriss' mother asserted her son's absence from violent protests.

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This investigation follows a separate case where four Marseille police officers faced charges of violence against a 22-year-old man named Hedi, who reportedly sustained skull injuries after an alleged beating by the police involving a flash ball. Three of the officers have been released on bail, while the detention of the fourth officer prompted his colleagues to take sick leave in protest. The officer in question admitted to firing the LBD but claimed no awareness of any resulting injuries.

Additionally, a third investigation was launched following an incident where Abdelkarim Y, Bendriss' 22-year-old cousin, lost an eye after being struck by an LBD on the night of June 30.