On June 18, 2016, Dahou-Samir Dahmani, 21, lost his life in Castres, hit by a van while he was riding a motorcycle. Initially classified as an accident, the case was reclassified as manslaughter with aggravated violence. After years of mobilization, the family is awaiting the trial scheduled for November 2024, hoping that justice will finally be served.
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The family of Dahou-Samir Dahmani has been waiting for justice for eight years. The trial before the Albi Assize Court for involuntary manslaughter with aggravated violence leading to death opens on Wednesday November 27, 2024. On June 18, 2016, Dahou-Samir, then aged 21, was riding on a motorcycle that he had just acquired it when he was violently hit by a van in Castres (Tarn).
That day, Dahou-Samir was riding on a motorcycle he had just bought when he was violently hit by a van in the Alliot district. On board the vehicle were a 25-year-old driver and his friend, both looking for their motorcycle stolen a few days earlier. Despite the rapid intervention of emergency services, the young man died on the spot.
The victim's motorcycle was hit by a van on June 18, 2016.
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© Family of Dahou-Samir Dahmani
The initial investigation concluded that it was a road accident, a version that the Dahmani family has always contested, arguing that the incident was voluntary. Thanks to their mobilization, notably through white marches, the case was reopened and an investigating judge was appointed.
A white march in tribute to Dahou Dahmani was organized in Castres in June 2017
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© FTV
Several testimonies call into question the behavior of the driver of the van.
“There are many elements in this case. You have three direct witnesses who saw this truck speed off and hit this motorcycle on its way. You also have a whole context which means that the accused and his friend who was owner of the motorcycle had set out in search of recovering this motorcycle at all costs And unfortunately, they will have provided the demonstration. indicates Master Robin Sénié-Delon.
You also have a whole bunch of messages where it is unbearable, for this family, to hear that the first words of the accused after the tragedy will be to indicate to his girlfriend that for example he shot the young
Robin Sénié-DelonDahmani family lawyer
These elements led to the reclassification of the facts as manslaughter with aggravated violence resulting in death.
Hearing for the first time on May 30, 2024, the trial was postponed until November 27, 2024. A crucial step for the family but which does not fully satisfy the sister of Dahou-Samir Dahmani. “We have been waiting for 8 years, living with this, with this waiting, and above all this injustice. We have been in pain for 8 years, in pain in sorrow,” Kheira Dahmani explained last May .
A pain all the more acute as the young man should have celebrated his 29th birthday on May 30.
