investigation into death threats targeting journalists after their book on drug banditry

An investigation has been opened into death threats targeting journalists from Parisian authors of a “investigation into the shooter phenomenon”these sometimes very young “hired killers” recruited by drug traffickers, AFP learned on Wednesday from a source close to the case.

This investigation is being conducted by the Marseille public prosecutor's office and entrusted to the gendarmerie, according to this source. Asked, the prosecution indicated “not wishing to communicate”.

In a press release on Wednesday, Flammarion, publisher of the work signed by Jean-Michel Décugis, Vincent Gautronneau and Jérémie Pham Lê, expressed his support for its three authors, believing “inconceivable” that they are “threatened for simply doing their job: investigating, informing and revealing facts”.

Threats from detainees

“Our authors are the subject of death threats and intimidation aimed at hindering their work”specifies this text, signed by Sophie de Closets, patron of Flammarion editions, committing to “protect and promote this fundamental right to information”.

“The threats from detainees and the growing pressure to intimidate these journalists are unacceptable. We wish to recall the importance of investigative journalism, our deep attachment to the freedom to inform and investigate.continues the press release.

In their book, Hitmen: investigation into the shooter phenomenonpublished on October 9, the three journalists delve into the heart of drug banditry in France, describing in particular the role of these teenagers, sometimes barely fifteen years old, enlisted to assassinate competitors.

DZ Mafia

They were particularly interested in the DZ Mafia, one of the most powerful drug trafficking clans in Marseille. A first investigation had already been opened following the publication of this book, entrusted to the IGPN, “the police of fonts”on a possible violation of the secrecy of the investigation or instruction. The Marseille prosecutor's office had specified that it had “opened a preliminary investigation” after the “reception of complaints from litigants”.

In a press release sent to AFP, the three journalists at Parisian had warned that they “will absolutely respect the secrecy of sources, a principle which is the cornerstone of journalism and freedom of information”.