Three days after the discovery on Saturday of Philippine’s body, buried in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, a 22-year-old suspect, previously convicted of rape and subject to an order to leave French territory (OQTF), was arrested on Tuesday in Geneva.
This man is 22 years old and of Moroccan nationality, a source close to the case told AFP, confirming information from the Actu 17 website. This media outlet reports that the suspect’s DNA was found at the scene where the 19-year-old student’s body was discovered. The man was first located in Annecy (F) on Tuesday, before being spotted and arrested in Geneva.
For its part, the Paris prosecutor’s office also confirmed that a suspect had been “identified and arrested today in the canton of Geneva.” “An extradition request will be sent to the Swiss authorities,” it added.
By the evening, the Geneva police had not yet responded to requests.
Released three weeks ago
According to the prosecution, the suspect, “in an irregular situation on French territory, was convicted in October 2021 for rape committed in 2019 (editor’s note: while he was a minor)“He had been “released, at the end of his sentence, in June 2024.”
According to the source close to the case, the suspect was released from detention on June 20 and placed in an administrative detention center (CRA) in Metz. On September 3, a judge of liberties and detention validated his release from the detention center. A measure accompanied by an obligation to check in. On September 4, Morocco had “sent the expulsion authorization” to the French authorities.
The day before the murder, on September 19, the suspect had been placed on the wanted persons file because he had not complied with his obligation to report, according to the same source.
The far right is revolting
Following the announcement of this arrest, the far right immediately took up arms. “Philippine’s life was stolen from her by a Moroccan migrant under an OQTF,” reacted the president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, on X.
“It is time for this government to act: our compatriots are angry and are not going to mince words,” he added.
France’s rate of execution of removal measures (OQTF) is the lowest in the European Union: around 7%, compared to almost 30% in other countries.
“Too many OQTFs are being issued by the authorities: we are seeing an increase in the number of removal measures against people who we know from the outset cannot be returned to a country of origin or transit,” according to Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche, professor of public law at the University of Lyon III.
Missing reported by family
Philippine was a student at Paris Dauphine University. Her body was found buried in the Bois de Boulogne, located in the west of Paris, during a search on Saturday afternoon. It was her family who reported her disappearance. The young woman was last seen on Friday at lunchtime, at the university.
According to a police source, witnesses reported seeing a man with a pickaxe in the area.
The investigation, opened for voluntary homicide, has been entrusted to the criminal brigade of the Paris judicial police.
(afp)
