Six men were judged on Friday, January 12th by the criminal court of Paris for human trafficking and drug trafficking. Sentences ranging from one to six years in prison, along with fines ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 euros, were handed down to six Algerian nationals by the criminal court of Paris on the charges of human trafficking and drug trafficking on January 12th.
“Extreme seriousness”
The court followed the prosecutor’s demands, stating that the actions were of “extreme seriousness” due to “the harm caused to the physical and psychological integrity of the young people.” Five of the accused were also given permanent ban from the French territory, with some already under obligation to leave French soil prior to the trial. The six accused were ordered to jointly pay 20,000 euros to each of the twelve minor victims as compensation for the damages suffered.
The six men were accused of initiating and keeping numerous isolated adolescents, of Moroccan and Algerian nationalities, under the influence of drugs in 2021 and 2022. The court estimated that while the existence of a “hierarchical and structured” network was not proven, the investigation revealed “a system of horizontal exploitation”.
“Exploited vulnerabilities”
According to the judge, human trafficking is characterized by the exploitation “of physical, psychological, social, and affective vulnerabilities” of isolated minors who placed their trust in these Arabic-speaking adults “close to their community”. Another man was sentenced to one year in prison and a 5,000 euro fine for drug trafficking and concealment, without human trafficking.
Céline Astolfe, lawyer for the civil party at the trial Hors la rue, praised “a historic and exemplary decision” as well as “the recognition of the victim status of these exploited minors”. Another lawyer for the civil parties, Solène Debarre, lauded “a judgment taking into account the notion of human trafficking, of a special gravity” and celebrated the “wake-up call” that the case represents. However, she warned: “These small networks of human trafficking are still proliferating, including the trafficking of Moroccan and Algerian minors.”
