A man sentenced to 6 months suspended prison sentence for attacking firefighters in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
On June 9, 2023, at Villeneuve-lès-Avignonthree firefighters intervened for psychiatric treatment. The individual concerned quickly lost his calm. After undressing, he insulted the firefighters before taking out a folding knife. He then marked the body of their vehicle with a cross before throwing a branch at it.
The firefighters immediately activated the procedure “ OMV » (Outrages-Threats-Violence), triggering global support. They filed a complaint, supported by the SDIS 30 (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service). This rapid response aims to protect officers faced with attacks.
On October 2, 2024, the defendant appeared before the Nîmes criminal court. He was found guilty of the offenses and sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. This reprieve includes strict obligations: care, work, reimbursement of civil parties, and payment of a fine to the Public Treasury.
The attacked firefighters obtained damages. The President and Director of SDIS expressed their support for the victim agents, strongly denouncing this act. They point out that the “OMV” procedure is triggered systematically and a complaint is filed in the event of an attack. The Gard SDIS strongly condemns all violence against firefighters, reaffirming that these acts will never go without legal response.
