Marseille court handles multiple cases

At the Marseille judicial court, immediate hearings are taking place following the thefts and damages committed during the demonstrations on October 17. In the crowded courtroom, families, friends, and supporters attend the trials, while other hearings occur simultaneously on the upper floor.

Supporter attends trial

Among the attendees is Issam El Khalfaoui, co-founder of the organization SAVE (Stop to State Violence) and father of Souheil, who was killed by a police officer in Marseille on August 4, 2021. He has come "in support" of the defendants.

Young man gets prison sentence

Marco, a 23-year-old from Aix-en-Provence, is sentenced to six months in prison for stealing four guitars and Pokémon cards in the city center. His previous sentence of six months with probation is revoked, resulting in a total of one year in prison, with the possibility of a suspended sentence.

Health issues lead to release

Another 21-year-old, who has a clean criminal record and is unemployed, appears for the receiving of ten stolen watches. He requests the dismissal of his trial to prepare his defense, citing a desire to resume his studies and suffering from an autoimmune disease. A doctor deems his health condition incompatible with imprisonment.

Irregular migrant faces charges

A Tunisian national in an irregular situation is sentenced to 12 months with probation for the receiving of luxury cosmetic bags, alongside her sister, who must also be tried. She will also have to pay more than 2,000 euros to two police officers for moral damages for insults made during her detention. The judge warns her, "At the next offense, you will go directly to the Baumettes."

Case over a kick and AirPods

After a suspension of the hearing, another case particularly attracts attention. This time, it is about a kick to a door and a pair of AirPods. Inès*, 19 years old, appears alone in the defendants' box, looking disheartened. Her cousin Iliès, 18 years old, appears beside her. Both are being prosecuted for kicking a door at the Grand Littoral shopping center in the northern quarters of Marseille on Saturday afternoon.

Defendants describe their backgrounds

The judge begins by examining the personalities of the two defendants. Iliès recounts his childhood between Marseille and Cannes. His father, hospitalized for an alcohol addiction, has come to attend the trial. The young man lives in a boarding school during the week and sees his mother and stepfather in Marseille on weekends. His criminal record is clean. "When I saw people doing it, I did the same, without reason," he explains, unable to justify his actions. He apologizes repeatedly.

Inès struggles to explain actions

Inès also struggles to explain. "I followed the movement," she says. She claims to have come to Marseille for the day, not knowing what was being prepared. The judge shows skepticism. As for the AirPods found in her pocket, Inès says an unknown person gave them to her at the Old Port. "I accepted and immediately realized they were stolen." The magistrate sighs. "What do you plan to do with your future?" The questioning continues on Inès's personal situation.

Judge questions future plans

Having been out of school since the third grade, the young woman says she is being followed by the local mission. "It's not the local mission that will present you with a job on a plate!" the magistrate retorts. As Inès claims she has never been convicted, the prosecutor notes a previous warning for trespassing and theft at a school. "It doesn't seem to have marked you," the judge says to her.

Prosecutor requests prison time

It is time for the prosecution's recommendations. The public prosecutor requests eight months in prison with a detention warrant for Iliès, and twelve months in prison with continued detention for Inès. Sentences that could send the two cousins to prison for a kick to a door and, in Inès's case, additional charges of receiving and rebellion.

Defense lawyers argue for leniency

The defense lawyers take turns at the bar. Both emphasize the need to individualize the sentences, away from the political and media pressure surrounding the events of October 17. "It is up to us to maintain what makes our society and what it should be," one of them argues. The second criticizes the "lightness of the procedure," the absence of images that could support the accusations, and worries about "firm sentences in response to the context."

Court suspends hearing

The hearing is suspended. In the hall, the lawyer walks back and forth. "I don't know, I don't know," he says, when asked about the upcoming judgment. Inès's mother, overwhelmed, leaves the room. The wait is heavy. A few minutes later, the court renders its decision. Inès is found guilty of receiving but acquitted of the charges of rebellion. She is sentenced to three months in prison with probation. Iliès is found guilty of damage. The financial penalties imposed on them amount to 500 euros, according to the elements collected during the hearing. Among the families, tears give way to relief. The two cousins escape the imprisonment requested by the prosecutor. Before the judges retire to deliberate, Inès spoke one last time: "It has been four days since I was locked up, I have understood the lesson."