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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What factors contribute to the vulnerability of youth in urban areas like Marseille’s Frais-Vallon district, leading them to become involved in drug trafficking?
**Interview with Dr. Sophie Marchand, Sociologist and Expert on Urban Violence**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Marchand. The recent case in Marseille’s Frais-Vallon district has brought to light some troubling issues regarding youth involvement in drug trafficking. What can you tell us about the situation that two teenagers found themselves in?
**Dr. Marchand:** Thank you for having me. This case is both heartbreaking and alarming. The two teenagers, Younes and Kevin, were reportedly forced into drug dealing by a local network. Their plea for help, hidden in a note they slipped to clients during transactions, underscores the desperate circumstances they were in—indicating they were essentially held captive to serve the interests of their captors. This reflects a broader issue of exploitation of vulnerable youth in urban areas, particularly in neighborhoods plagued by drug violence.
**Interviewer:** It seems that their situation escalated to a dangerous level. How did they manage to escape?
**Dr. Marchand:** As shocking as it is, they managed to escape by jumping from the second floor of a building. This action highlights the extreme fear and desperation they must have felt. After escaping, it was firefighters who ultimately helped them, showing that sometimes the system is slow to respond, but the readiness of first responders can be crucial in such dire situations.
**Interviewer:** The legal repercussions for those involved in this case are significant. What are the implications of the ongoing trial for the community and for policies around youth and drug violence?
**Dr. Marchand:** The trial of the six young adults involved in this case is a critical moment for the community. It serves not only as a legal proceeding but also as a wake-up call for policymakers. There is a pressing need for programs that address the root causes of youth vulnerability in environments like Frais-Vallon. Effective measures could include community support, education, and mental health resources aimed at preventing young people from being drawn into drug networks.
**Interviewer:** With incidents like this occurring, what do you recommend as a proactive approach to address these issues in troubled neighborhoods?
**Dr. Marchand:** A multifaceted approach is essential. First, we need to work on prevention by investing in education and outreach programs. Employing community leaders to mentor vulnerable youth can help create alternative pathways. Second, law enforcement needs to coordinate with social services to ensure they can both protect young people from exploitation while addressing criminal activity effectively. Lastly, community engagement is vital, so we can rebuild trust and ensure that people feel safe reporting incidents without fear of retribution.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Marchand. Your insights on this troubling situation in Marseille help highlight the complex challenges facing urban communities.
**Dr. Marchand:** Thank you for shining a light on this important issue. It’s crucial that we continue to advocate for not only justice but also prevention and support for those at risk.
