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 support systems be strengthened to help at-risk youth in urban environments affected by organized crime?
**Interview with Dr. Marie Dupont, a Sociologist Specializing in Urban Violence**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Dupont. The recent incidents in the Frais-Vallon district of Marseille have brought to light some alarming issues surrounding youth involvement in drug networks. Can you give us your take on the situation, particularly regarding the disturbing nature of the SOS note sent by two young dealers?
**Dr. Dupont:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, the SOS note is a heartbreaking revelation of how vulnerable these young individuals are in the face of organized crime. It reflects the extreme pressure and fear they experience, which is exacerbated by their age. At just 15 years old, they are being forced into a criminal world that not only exploits them but also subjects them to violence and intimidation. Their plea for help highlights a critical need for better support systems for at-risk youth.
**Interviewer:** This incident has led to a significant court case involving several young adults accused of kidnapping and violence. What do you think this reflects about the broader social issues in Marseille?
**Dr. Dupont:** This is indicative of a systemic problem. The recruitment of minors into drug trafficking networks is not just an isolated incident; it points to socio-economic factors such as poverty, lack of education, and limited opportunities for young people in these neighborhoods. The fact that young adults are implicated in such crimes against even younger teenagers shows a concerning cycle of violence and exploitation that needs to be addressed urgently.
**Interviewer:** There have been previous reports of escalating violence linked to drug trafficking in Marseille. What do you think can be done to reverse this trend?
**Dr. Dupont:** Tackling this issue requires a multifaceted approach. First, law enforcement needs to work closely with community organizations to disrupt these networks effectively while also providing rehabilitation options for those wanting to escape. Additionally, educational programs and social services must be reinforced to empower young people and offer them alternatives to criminal activities. there must be significant public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote dialog about these issues within communities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Dupont, for your insights. It’s clear that addressing this crisis requires dedicated efforts from various sectors of society.
**Dr. Dupont:** Absolutely. Change is possible, but it will take time, collaboration, and genuine commitment to improve the lives of vulnerable youth in places like Marseille.
