'Bad boy' actor faces attempted murder charge 04/01/2007 00:00

MARSEILLE, France, Jan 3, 2007 (AFP) - Samy Naceri, a "bad boy" French actor who has had a string of run-ins with the law, was in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder after pulling a knife on a nightclub doorman.

The 45-year-old star of the "Taxi" series of action films and, most recently, of the critically-acclaimed "Days of Glory", was arrested Tuesday night in the southeastern town of Aix-en-Provence.

According to officials, Naceri -- who arrived at the club drunk, with two young women on his arm -- sparked a fight after he was refused entry, drawing a knife on the doorman but not injuring him.

Naceri himself was treated for an injured jaw and broken teeth after falling against a car during the brawl, and faces possible charges of attempted homicide.

He had been arrested just a day earlier for driving without a license in the southern city of Marseille.

The son of Arab immigrants who has made a name playing tough but sensitive action heroes, Naceri is already in hot water with the law over a series of violent incidents.

In December he was sentenced to six months in prison for racially insulting a black policeman.

Since 2000, he has been convicted at least four times, for assault, resisting arrest, drink-driving and speeding.

Copyright AFP

Subject: French news