Overview

• The Alpes-Maritimes appeals court sentenced El Kabir M’Saidie Ali to life in prison with a 22-year safety period for the 2019 sequestration and torture of a 16-year-old in Marseille.
• The decision increases his first-instance punishment from 25 years handed down two years ago for acts of torture and barbarity.
• M’Saidie denied involvement and claimed he was in the Lyon area, while the court heard identifications by two anonymous witnesses and by the victim through voice recognition.
• The victim, who had been drawn into local dealing, suffered extensive burns and now remains in psychiatric care under enhanced guardianship.
• Four other youths were previously sentenced to five to ten years, and authorities are examining ways to curb networks that recruit minors via social media.