A mother testifies in a Marseille trial over a 2020 ambush that killed her two sons, as accused drug traffickers apologize and a grieving family seeks justice.
Mother testifies about loss of two sons
Ouassila Benhmadi-Kessaci, mother of Brahim Chabane, one of three victims of a 2020 ambush near Marseille, testified in court on Monday, expressing her grief over the deaths of her two sons, killed five years apart. She described the emotional toll of losing her children in separate incidents, both linked to the region’s drug trafficking conflicts.Trial marked by strong emotion
The trial, which has lasted two weeks, has been marked by strong emotion as the mothers of the victims described "a life that no longer has meaning" and sought answers from the five accused. Their testimonies highlighted the deep personal impact of the crimes and the lack of closure for the families involved.Apologies from alleged perpetrators
During the hearing, the alleged perpetrators, including two figures from Marseille's drug trafficking scene, presented apologies to the mothers. Zakaria Bensaci, one of the accused, identified Amine Oualane and Karim Harrat as the main responsible for the planned execution. Both men deny involvement in the triple murder.Background on key suspects
Oualane, a narcotics trafficker with a heavy criminal record, is alleged to have been a leader of the DZ Mafia since 2023. Harrat, known as "Rantanplan," is suspected of several settling of accounts. The trial has focused on their alleged roles in the ambush that killed Brahim Chabane, brother of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci.Mother's account of son's death
Ouassila Benhmadi-Kessaci described the police explanation of her son's death, in which he was found charred with a bullet in his head, as a moment of profound pain. She recounted her efforts to keep her son away from bad company, including confronting an armed individual at 1:00 AM.Impact on mother's life
After Brahim's death, she left her job as a restaurateur and has since presided over the "Conscience" association founded by Amine Kessaci to support families affected by drug trafficking. Her magnanimity in forgiving the accused was shattered by the death of her younger son Mehdi, a 20-year-old unrelated to drug trafficking, who was shot in Marseille in November 2025.New investigation linked to son's death
Amine Oualane is under investigation for his potential involvement in Mehdi's murder. The death of Mehdi caused a shock wave in the region and has added new layers of complexity to the ongoing trial. The mother of Réda Khaldi, another 2020 victim, was unable to see her son's body due to the state of decomposition.Details of the crime revealed
The mother of Yassine Loubani, whose body was found in pieces and charred, now demands justice, stating "Nassim will not return." Malika Kariba, nicknamed "the butcher," admitted to dismembering one of the victims with a "butcher's paper" and hiding the body parts in "supermarket bags." The trial schedule has been delayed, with the verdict initially expected on November 6 potentially postponed to November 13.
