Overview
- Mehdi Kessaci, 20, was shot dead on November 13 by two gunmen on a motorcycle near the Bouches‑du‑Rhône departmental building, an intimidation homicide according to authorities, with the assailants still at large.
- Tuesday’s funeral took place under exceptional security with RAID and CRS present, and Amine Kessaci attended wearing a bulletproof vest while noting his own police protection was not extended to relatives.
- In a tribune published Wednesday by Le Monde, the 22‑year‑old pledged, “Non, je ne me tairai pas,” urging a return of public services to neighborhoods, stronger police‑judicial means, and real support for victims’ families.
- Following an emergency meeting at the Élysée, President Emmanuel Macron called to amplify the fight against narcotraffic with a counterterrorism‑style approach, as the government requested the UAE extradite about fifteen suspected traffickers.
- Macron plans a visit to Marseille in mid‑December and the interior and justice ministers are due there Thursday, while Mayor Benoît Payan pressed for more resources and a clearer command structure, and a white march is planned Saturday.