PARIS: The recent killing of a 15-year-old boy in Viry-Chatillon, a town south of Paris, has prompted murder charges against two brothers and two others, raising alarm about violence within French schools.
Following an overnight hearing, Evry prosecutor Gregoire Dulin announced that two of the accused, including a 20-year-old and a minor, were jailed, while the other two minors were placed in pre-trial remand for their involvement in the fatal attack on Shemseddine.
Education Minister Nicole Belloubet expressed national mourning, emphasizing the tragic loss after Shemseddine succumbed to his injuries on Friday, one day after being assaulted.
The attack stemmed from a dispute related to the suspects’ younger sister, involving sensitive topics about sexuality, according to prosecutor Dulin.
Concerns were raised when the victim allegedly boasted of freely communicating with the sister, prompting the brothers to take action to protect her reputation and family honor.
Three individuals wearing balaclavas ambushed Shemseddine as he left school, resulting in his tragic death later in the week. Police caught five suspects, including three 17-year-olds, a 15-year-old, and a 20-year-old.
President Emmanuel Macron addressed the broader issue of violence among teenagers, underscoring the need to safeguard schools as sanctuaries for children and their families.
The fatal incident in Viry-Chatillon follows another assault in Montpellier, where a 13-year-old girl was left in a temporary coma after an attack outside her school earlier in the week.
The recent violence has reignited discussions about ensuring the safety and sanctity of educational environments amidst escalating tensions and threats targeting schools across France.
