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 local authorities and communities better protect youth from exploitation and involvement in organized crime?
**Interview with Dr. Marie Lefèvre, Sociologist and Expert on Urban Crime in Marseille**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lefèvre. The recent events in the Frais-Vallon district of Marseille highlight a troubling trend in urban crime, particularly related to drug trafficking and the exploitation of young individuals. Can you provide some context on what’s been happening there?
**Dr. Lefèvre:** Certainly. The Frais-Vallon district has been a focal point for drug trafficking in Marseille, which has seen a significant uptick in violence associated with rival gangs. The kidnappings and coercion of young people, as we’ve seen recently, are sadly a continuation of a pattern where organized groups forcibly recruit minors to sell drugs. This not only endangers the lives of these youths but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and crime within the community.
**Interviewer:** Two young dealers managed to send a plea for help during their traumatic ordeal, indicating that they were being forced into drug sales. How prevalent is this type of exploitation of minors in Marseille?
**Dr. Lefèvre:** It’s distressingly common. Miners are often seen as easy targets because they are less likely to attract law enforcement attention. The alarming aspect of this case is not just the kidnapping but the broader implications of how these networks operate with impunity in certain neighborhoods. Young individuals like Younes and Kevin are caught in desperate situations, and their pleas underscore the urgent need for intervention.
**Interviewer:** The ongoing court proceedings are set to address the kidnapping and violence inflicted on these teenagers. What does this case represent for the justice system in relation to organized crime?
**Dr. Lefèvre:** This case is pivotal. It tests the capacity of our legal system to address not just the immediate acts of violence but also the systemic issues of gang culture and drug trafficking in urban areas. It raises questions about the protections available for young people and the support systems in place to prevent them from being drawn into these dangerous environments. The outcomes could influence future cases and policy decisions aimed at tackling youth exploitation and organized crime in a more effective manner.
**Interviewer:** What steps do you believe should be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future?
**Dr. Lefèvre:** Several steps need to be taken. First, we require targeted youth intervention programs that provide alternatives to drug trafficking and education about the dangers involved. Additionally, stronger community policing efforts are essential to rebuild trust between law enforcement and local residents. Lastly, there must be a collaborative approach between social services, educational institutions, and law enforcement to create a safety net for at-risk youth. It’s crucial to break the cycle of violence and provide support before these young people fall into such traps.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Lefèvre, for your insights. The situation in Marseille certainly demands urgent attention from both the community and authorities to protect vulnerable youths.
**Dr. Lefèvre:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we keep discussing these issues to drive meaningful change.
