The prosecutor's office in Dunkerque has asked that the murder of Djamel Bendjaballah, who died in August 2024, be reclassified as a racist crime. This request, made on June 23, is based on "various useful elements" collected during the investigation, according to prosecutor Charlotte Huet. Following this request, the prosecutor's office has asked that the accused, Jérôme D., be placed under formal investigation for this alleged racist crime, as reported by AFP. This formal investigation can proceed only after the investigating judge has heard the accused about these specific allegations. Djamel Bendjaballah, 43, was killed on August 31, 2024, in Cappelle-la-Grande, in northern France. He was struck and crushed by Jérôme D., the ex-husband of his partner, in front of the children of both men. The victim's family has long argued that the crime had a racist motive and has pushed for an investigation into this angle. They point to exchanges in which Jérôme D. referred to Djamel Bendjaballah using the slur "bougnoule," a derogatory term for Black people. Several complaints filed by the victim for racist insults before her death were dismissed. The family and anti-racist groups also claim Jérôme D. was connected to the French Patriotic Brigade, a far-right organization known for its extremist views. The family of Djamel Bendjaballah continues to pursue legal action. Nadia, the victim's sister, and her lawyers, Seydi Ba and Maiwelle Mezi, have welcomed the reclassification as an "important step towards the manifestation of the truth." They believe that elements that should have been examined from the start can now be properly investigated. However, they emphasize that they will only be fully satisfied if the case leads to a formal investigation, a trial, and a conviction. Meanwhile, SOS Racism, an anti-racist organization, has expressed support for the reclassification and aims to become a civil party in the case once it is finalized. The group is calling for a thorough judicial examination of the racist aspects of the crime. The reclassification of the case marks a significant shift in how the murder is being viewed by the legal system. It reflects the family's long-standing concerns and the broader societal demand for justice in cases involving racial discrimination. As the legal process continues, the outcome may set a precedent for how such crimes are addressed in France.