2024-11-17 04:30:00
Corridor of Marseille: the jammers trigger the start of a riot at Baumettes”>Baumettes prison, in Marseille, February 13, 2021. NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP
“I was asked to come. It said: there is 5,000 euros so I said yes since I needed money. It was just to burn a car. » Indicted at the beginning of October, this young 19-year-old from Marseille admitted to having participated in a punitive expedition against a guard at the Aix-Luynes penitentiary center, in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône). The young man and three accomplices, one night in June 2023, left a city in the northern districts of Marseille and filled a jerrycan with gasoline on the way to go, near Aix-en-Provence, to set fire to the vehicle of the agent, parked in front of his house. “We just had to put pressure on him”explained another member of the team, also arrested in October.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers When assassinations linked to drug trafficking are ordered from prison
Read later
On site, they noticed that they did not have a lighter, so the person who had the weapon in hand fired two or three times at the vehicle, believing he could start a fire. Their behavior wakes up the agent and his neighbor. The latter clearly hears one of the hooded men say to the others: “If he comes out, I’ll shoot!” » On the facade of the home, investigators noted impacts, which led to the three members of the commando being indicted for “attempted assassination on a person holding public authority”.
This attack on a prison officer, committed at his home, is not an isolated case. On July 25, a guard, also stationed at the Aix-Luynes penitentiary center, was followed by a vehicle from the prison. When she parks in front of her house, three hooded men kick and punch her, try to take her cell phone and steal her car keys. At the end of August, five people were identified, including two Luynes inmates in conflict with the supervisor. All are indicted for “criminal association” and “organized gang theft accompanied or followed by violence”.
“Major area of concern”
The two detainees, the supposed instigators of this violence which led to a total work stoppage of ten days, belong, according to an investigator, to Marseille narco-banditry, one being incarcerated for murder, the other for drug trafficking.
Even more recently, on October 7, at 4 a.m., unknown persons set fire to the door of the home of a guard in Baumettes, the Marseille penitentiary center. “The prison environment is exposed to the power of 10 to the violence of drug banditry, which is increasing and is now expressed outside places of detention”deplores a magistrate, for whom it is “a major cause for concern”.
You have 55.13% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
1731819029
#BouchesduRhône #prison #staff #pressure
What are the main factors contributing to the rise of prison-related violence in Marseille?
**Interview with Legal Analyst Marie Dupont on Prison-Related Violence in Marseille**
**Editor:** Today, we’re joined by Marie Dupont, a legal analyst with a focus on criminal law. Marie, thank you for being here. Recently, a case involving a young individual from Marseille who participated in a punitive attack against a prison guard has come to light. Can you give us a brief overview of the incident?
**Marie Dupont:** Absolutely. The case centers around a 19-year-old from Marseille who, along with three accomplices, was indicted for their involvement in a plot to intimidate a prison guard by setting fire to his vehicle. They reportedly were incentivized by a monetary reward of 5,000 euros. Interestingly, when they arrived to carry out the act, they found themselves ill-equipped, lacking a lighter, which led to gunfire instead.
**Editor:** It’s alarming to hear about the lengths these individuals went to. What does this case reveal about the current state of prison-related violence and gang intimidation?
**Marie Dupont:** This incident underscores a worrying trend where violent reprisals against prison staff are becoming more common, particularly in relation to drug trafficking networks. The involvement of firearms adds another layer of danger, indicating that these acts are not just threats but can escalate quickly into serious violence.
**Editor:** The young man’s statement—that they were just supposed to “put pressure” on the guard—suggests a chilling normalization of intimidation tactics. What implications does this have for both security in prisons and the community?
**Marie Dupont:** It raises significant concerns about the influence of criminal organizations extending beyond prison walls. Such actions can foster a climate of fear that affects not only the guards but also their families and the surrounding community. It highlights a potential failure of the justice system to protect its employees from retaliation and poses challenges for law enforcement in maintaining order in both prisons and the streets.
**Editor:** What measures do you think can be implemented to address these issues and protect prison staff?
**Marie Dupont:** There needs to be a multi-faceted approach. First, stronger security measures and intelligence gathering are essential in identifying potential threats from within the prison system. Additionally, more support and protection for staff members, alongside stricter penalties for orchestrating or participating in such violence, could act as deterrents.
**Editor:** Marie, what message do you think this case sends to young people who might find themselves in similar situations?
**Marie Dupont:** It serves as a stark warning. While the allure of quick money can be tempting, the consequences are severe and often life-altering. Involvement in criminal activities like this can lead not only to legal ramifications but also to jeopardizing one’s safety and the safety of others.
**Editor:** Thank you, Marie, for your insights on this concerning issue. It’s vital for the community to be aware and vigilant about the implications of such violence.
**Marie Dupont:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial conversation we need to keep having to protect our communities.
