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 systemic issues contribute to the vulnerability of youth to exploitation by drug networks, as highlighted in recent cases like that of Younes and Kevin?
**Interview with Dr. Marie Chevalier, Expert in Youth Crime and Social Issues**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Chevalier. The recent reports from Frais-Vallon have revealed a harrowing case involving two teenagers who were forced into a life of drug dealing and violence. Can you shed some light on the broader implications of this situation?
**Dr. Chevalier:** Thank you for having me. This case is indeed shocking and highlights a disturbing trend in urban areas where young people are increasingly being exploited by drug networks. The fact that these teenagers resorted to writing an SOS note during transactions indicates both their desperation and the dire circumstances they found themselves in. This points to a systemic issue where vulnerable youth are targeted for recruitment into criminal activities.
**Interviewer:** It seems that the young victims, Younes and Kevin, took a significant risk to escape their captors. How does this reflect on their situation?
**Dr. Chevalier:** Their bold action to jump from a second-floor window signifies not just courage but also the severity of their situation. When they felt that there was no other option, it shows how trapped they were and underscores the brutality of the network controlling them. This situation is not just about individual victimization; it reflects a failure of multiple systems, including social services and law enforcement, to protect these youths.
**Interviewer:** The legal proceedings have begun against the six individuals accused of kidnapping and violence. What do you expect from these court proceedings?
**Dr. Chevalier:** I hope that the court proceedings will not only bring justice for Younes and Kevin but also raise awareness about the exploitation of young individuals in drug trafficking. It’s crucial for the judiciary to set a precedent that can deter similar criminal activities in the future. Moreover, I hope it leads to better protective measures for vulnerable youth and encourages authorities to address the root causes of such exploitation.
**Interviewer:** What measures can be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future?
**Dr. Chevalier:** Prevention requires a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, community engagement is essential—youth programs that provide support and alternative pathways can help deter kids from being lured into the drug trade. Additionally, increasing police presence in these neighborhoods and creating partnerships with local organizations can foster a safer environment. Above all, we need to address the socio-economic factors that make these youths vulnerable in the first place.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Chevalier, for your insights. This case indeed raises many critical questions about youth safety and community responsibility.
**Dr. Chevalier:** Thank you for shedding light on this important issue. It’s vital we continue to advocate for these young people and ensure their voices are heard.
