Overview

• Arrested earlier this week, the two suspects were brought before the Bobigny court, which postponed the case to 22 October and ordered their pretrial detention.
• They are to be tried for aggravated destruction of public property and for violating a monument honoring the dead for reasons tied to race, ethnicity, nation or religion.
• The olive tree, planted in 2011 in Épinay‑sur‑Seine’s Jardin d’Alcobendas to honor Ilan Halimi, was found cut down during the night of 13–14 August.
• President Emmanuel Macron condemned the felling as an act of hate, and Lyon’s mayor announced a new Halimi tree in his city as Épinay plans multiple replantings following donations.
• Some outlets reported that DNA evidence helped identify the suspects, while judicial authorities have formally confirmed the arrests, charges and the October court date.