Two halal butcher shops, belonging to the “King Halal” chain, were targeted by arson attacks in the 15th arrondissement of Marseille, just a few hours apart. These targeted acts, which arouse emotion and concern in the local community, resulted in the arrest of two suspects.
According to the French media Provencethe first incident took place on the night of Wednesday January 15, around 3 a.m., on avenue Saint-Antoine. Alerted by smoke and flames, local residents called the firefighters, whose station is nearby. The rapid intervention of the emergency services made it possible to contain the fire, although significant damage was noted at the scene.
Two suspects arrested
A few hours later, on Thursday January 16, another halal butcher shop in the King Halal chain, located rue de Lyon, was struck by a similar fire. The similarities between the two incidents immediately led investigators towards a criminal trail, reinforced by clues collected on site.
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On Friday January 17, the judicial police arrested two suspects, aged 25 and 32. These arrests were possible thanks to the use of video surveillance images and testimonies from local residents. The two individuals, currently in police custody, are being questioned to establish their respective roles and the motivations behind these acts.
-The first elements of the investigation suggest premeditation in the attacks against halal butchers
Investigators are trying to find out if these acts were motivated by score-settling, commercial conflicts or possible ideological motivations. The first elements of the investigation suggest premeditation, but the suspects have, at this stage, no apparent links with organized groups. Authorities are also working to determine whether other accomplices might be involved in the attacks.
These events caused a shock wave in this district of Marseille. The “King Halal” butchers, well known for their activity in the region, are emblematic establishments for a large local clientele. The owners, shocked, denounced these “malicious acts”.
Residents are wondering about the motivations of the perpetrators and the impact of these attacks on the feeling of security in their neighborhood. Some retailers fear lasting economic repercussions, in a context where customer trust is essential to their business.
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