Six Algerians Handed Prison Sentences for Trafficking Moroccan Minors in France

French security personnel. (AFP)
French security personnel. (AFP)
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Six Algerians Handed Prison Sentences for Trafficking Moroccan Minors in France

French security personnel. (AFP)
French security personnel. (AFP)

The Criminal Court in Paris sentenced on Saturday six Algerians to imprisonment from one year to six years for luring unaccompanied Moroccan minors to drug addiction and pushing them to commit theft.

Taking into account the requests of the public prosecutor, the court deemed these acts “particularly serious” given the “physical and psychological harm caused to the Moroccan minors.”

The verdict also imposed a permanent ban on five of the convicted individuals from entering French territory, with some of them ordered to depart before the trial.

The six convicted adults for human and drug trafficking were ordered to collectively pay an amount of 20 thousand euros in compensation for twelve minors who claimed damages.

The six Algerians were convicted of supplying drugs to the Moroccan victims between 2021 and 2022 and compelling them to commit thefts against tourists in exchange for mind-altering substances.

The court stated that there was no evidence to prove the existence of a “hierarchical and organized” network. Still, it confirmed that the investigation revealed “a horizontal operating system for the gang.”

The presiding judge explained that human trafficking involved exploiting the physical, psychological, and social vulnerabilities of unaccompanied minors who had placed their trust in these Arabic-speaking adults under the pretext of “being close to their community.”

The presiding judge indicated that the “modus operandi” counted on “enslaving the minors” and turning them into “tools.”

A seventh person was sentenced to one year in prison and fined €5,000 for narcotics trafficking without human trafficking.



EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

The European Union's foreign policy chief urged the Israeli government on Tuesday to back a proposed ceasefire deal in Lebanon which he said has all the necessary security guarantees for Israel.

Speaking at a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Italy, Josep Borrell said there was no excuse for not implementing the deal with Iran-backed Hezbollah, adding pressure should be exerted on Israel to approve it immediately.

"Let's hope that today (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu will approve the ceasefire agreement proposed by the US and France. No more excuses. No more additional requests," Borrell said, criticizing hard-line Israeli ministers who have spoken against the deal.

Israel looks set to approve a US plan for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official said.

Borrell, who said he discussed prospects for a deal in a recent trip to Lebanon, said one of the sticking points was whether France should be included in a committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire, which the US is due to chair.

He said the Lebanese have specifically asked for France's involvement, but the Israelis have misgivings.

"This is one of the points that are still missing," he said.

Borrell also criticized what he saw as Western double standards on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and a Hamas leader, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.

"You cannot applaud when the court goes against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and remain silent when the court goes against Netanyahu," he said, urging European Union member states to support the ICC.

Italy, which holds the G7 presidency, said on Monday it was trying to broker a common position for the group on the ICC decision, but progress is hard since the US has said it does not recognizethe jurisdiction of the court and opposes the arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

The G7 comprises the US, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Canada and Japan.