The Algerian Dahbia Benkiredaccused of the murder of Lola, 12, in October 2022 in Paris, will be tried in front of the seats. The young woman will have to answer charges of “murder of a minor under 15 accompanied or preceded by rape, torture or barbaric acts”, as well as “rape of a minor with torture or barbaric acts”, according to the prosecutor's office. from Paris to AFP.
The tragedy had a profound impact on France. The lifeless body of the teenager was discovered in an abandoned trunk in the courtyard of his building, located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. Her disappearance had been reported a few hours earlier by her mother, worried not to see her return from college, located near the family home. The investigation quickly established that Dahbia Benkired would have killed Lola, before committing extremely cruel acts of violence. If convicted, the accused faces life imprisonment.
A need for justice for Lola's family
Lola's family lawyer, Me Clotilde Lepetitwelcomed the decision. “This instruction which shows the seriousness which was devoted to this extraordinary criminal case”she said. She also underlined the desire of Lola's mother to see the trial take place before an assize court, thus guaranteeing the holding of in-depth and transparent debates.
The lawyers of Dahbia Benkired, My Alexandre Silva and Lucile Bertierfor their part, called for judicial treatment far from any popular reaction. “We hope that the debates necessary for judicial truth will take place calmly, far from media agitation and nonsense on social networks”they told AFP.
Dahbia Benkired, a personality considered dangerous
Dahbia Benkired, who arrived legally in France in 2016 with a student residence permit, was the subject of a obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) for two months at the time of the events. The non-execution of this measure had fueled lively political debates, questioning the capacity of the authorities to expel the OQTF.
Since her arrest the day after the events, Dahbia Benkired has been subjected to several psychiatric assessments. The latest to date was carried out at the beginning of 2024. This concluded that he was criminally liable, describing a personality “severe pathological” and presenting a “high criminological danger”.
The trial, awaited with great media intensity, will have to meet the expectations of the family and public opinion.
Also read: “We received a lot of support”: Lola’s mother and brother speak for the first time on camera
