after shootings in Besançon, Anne Vignot settles scores with the opposition

After the machine-gunning of a barber shop in the city center on the night of January 14 to 15, the environmentalist mayor of Besançon (Doubs) responds to criticism from the municipal opposition and demands “a real regulatory arsenal and human resources” to fight against drug trafficking.

After automatic weapons fire in the city center, most likely “linked to drug trafficking” according to her, Anne Vignot, the mayor (EELV) of Besançon (Doubs) requested Friday January 17, 2025 “a real regulatory arsenal and human resources” to fight against drug trafficking.

“Tackling the complex international problem of drug trafficking calls for something other than simplistic solutions”explains the elected environmentalist in a press release.

On the night of Tuesday January 14 to Wednesday January 15, a barber shop was targeted in the Rivotte district, at the foot of the Citadel. No one was injured in the shooting. Numerous impacts were visible on the window. Around fifteen 5.56 caliber cases, corresponding to the ammunition for a Kalashnikov-type assault rifle, were found on site by investigators.

The targeted trader would be the brother of a local figure in organized crime, Mohamed Mordjane, sentenced to 30 years of criminal imprisonment on December 20 for the murder of Houcine Hakkar. He is currently on the run.

“The large sums that trafficking generates, the competition between criminal organizations and territorial rivalries have as constant consequences an unprecedented increase and extension of the violence of organized crime”observe Anne Vignot.

France is overwhelmed by international drug trafficking. The entire national territory, mainland and overseas, is affected: from large to small towns, from villages to hamlets. The recent report on the doubling of cocaine use alarms us all.

Anne Vignot, mayor (EELV) of Besançon.

Press release of January 17, 2025.

“Drug trafficking is there, everywhere in France”insists the president of Grand Besaçon Métropole. She specifies that the Association of Mayors of France (AMF), France Urbaine, mayors of all political colors, just like the transpartisan senatorial report, are asking “a reaction from the State to stop this scourge”.

The fight against serious crime requires resources for security, the apprehension of offenders, scientific, financial and police investigation resources. Faced with this national and international scourge, we need a real regulatory arsenal, diplomatic work and increased human resources.

Anne Vignot, mayor (EELV) of Besançon.

Press release of January 17, 2025.

In Besançon,“a turning point came in the winter of 2019-20, when traffickers and their weapons intimidated, injured and killed, points out Anne Vignot. All places must be protected, all are precious: Thise, Montrapon, Avanne, Planoise or rue Rivotte.” The elected official recalls that, since her election in 2020, she has been working on “increase the presence of national police officers on the ground and work hand in hand with the police, justice and social services”.

This declaration follows criticism from the municipal opposition which reacted on Wednesday to these shootings “perpetrated in the historic heart of Besançon”. Once again, Ludovic Fagaut (LR) challenged the mayor on behalf of the Besançon Now group and demanded that “the“video protection be reinforced in all neighborhoods but also and above all that the municipality reviews its position on the question of weaponry and the missions of the municipal police”.

“We refuse to allow Besançon to sink once again into a cycle of criminal acts linked to the settling of scores in drug trafficking”he said in a press release. “Cameras don't prevent shootings, replied Anne Vignot in her press release, and the municipal police do not intervene at night, let's not kid ourselves about the solutions to be implemented.”