2024-11-25 09:01:00
The Frais-Vallon district, in Marseille, in January 2024. VALLAURI NICOLAS/MAXPPP
With the drugs that they gave to their clients during the transactions, the two young dealers slipped in an SOS, a small note scribbled: “Hello, we are sequestered by the network. Please call the police. He forces us to sell for free and beats us with bars. Please we need help (we are 15 years old). » Despite these discreet calls for help, it was not a consumer who rescued them from the clutches of the Frais-Vallon network, but the firefighters, after they had jumped from the second floor of a tower to escape to their captors.
The Bouches-du-Rhône Assize Court will judge, from Monday, November 25, six young people from Marseille for the kidnapping and violence inflicted over several days on two 16-year-old teenagers, forcibly recruited to sell drugs. Three of the accused – they are all in their twenties – also answer for rape of one of the two victims.
Both runaways, Younes and Kevin – the first names have been changed – showed up on January 21, 2022 in Frais-Vallon, a city in the northern districts of Marseille, to sell drugs. A member of the network promises them remuneration of 100 euros per day and accommodation in “a hotel with a jacuzzi”. At the end of the session, the tone changes suddenly, the two teenagers are accused of a 500 euro hole in the accounts, the first blows rain down on the deal point, at the foot of the “red tower”. In a room where they are taken, “from three, they went to a good ten and they played with us”Younes said. “We were pissing blood”reported Kevin, forced to get naked and dance in front of phones filming him for social networks.
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An anonymous tip to the police indicated that the two young boys had been forced to perform oral sex on each other, which they disputed. “I would have gone for revenge if that had been it. Now, I don’t even want revenge. The blows go away. We were the ones who made idiots of going to work in their neighborhood”explained Younes. The teenager will no longer respond to any summons from investigators or the investigating judge. He had not looked his torturers in the eyes so as not to be able to identify them. A year after the events, Younes’ father requested the withdrawal of his son’s complaint “for fear of being found and attacked again”.
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How can community programs be improved to support vulnerable youth in areas like Frais-Vallon?
**Interview on the Situation in Frais-Vallon, Marseille**
**Host:** Welcome to our program. Today, we’re discussing the troubling situation in the Frais-Vallon district of Marseille, which has recently gained international attention due to a harrowing case of drug-related violence and exploitation. Joining us today is social worker and community activist, Anna Dupre. Anna, thank you for being here.
**Anna:** Thank you for having me. It’s a vital conversation we need to have.
**Host:** The recent incident involves two young teenagers, Younes and Kevin, who reportedly escaped from a drug network after being forcibly recruited. Can you shed some light on the current climate in Frais-Vallon?
**Anna:** Absolutely. Frais-Vallon has been facing significant socioeconomic challenges for many years. High unemployment rates and a lack of opportunity create a breeding ground for criminal organizations. In this case, we see how these networks prey on vulnerable youth—both for recruitment into drug dealing and as victims of violence.
**Host:** It’s heartbreaking. The boys managed to send an SOS note to their clients, which led to their rescue by firefighters after they jumped from a window. What does this tell us about their situation?
**Anna:** It underscores their desperation and the extreme measures they felt forced to take to escape. It’s a reflection of how trapped these young individuals feel. The fact that they resorted to a plea for help—and did so in such a dangerous way—highlights the severe risks they face in these environments.
**Host:** The court case beginning today involves six individuals accused of kidnapping and violence. What impact do you think this trial could have on the community and future cases?
**Anna:** Trials like this can bring some visibility to the issues at hand, but it’s crucial that the focus does not solely fall on punitive measures. The community needs support systems to offer alternatives to young people. Without addressing the root causes—such as poverty, lack of education, and social neglect—we will continue seeing these patterns repeat.
**Host:** That makes a lot of sense. What are some concrete steps that can be taken moving forward to address this crisis?
**Anna:** First and foremost, increasing investment in community programs is essential. This includes legitimate job training, educational opportunities, and mental health services. Building relationships of trust between law enforcement and residents can also help vulnerable youth feel supported rather than targeted.
**Host:** Thank you, Anna, for your insights. This situation in Frais-Vallon is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach—a challenge, but certainly not insurmountable.
**Anna:** Thank you for having me. I hope this case shines a light on the need for urgent action.
**Host:** And thank you to our listeners for tuning in. We will continue to monitor developments in this ongoing case and the situation in Frais-Vallon.
