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France Ramps up Fight Against Drug Crime After Brother of Anti-Drugs Activist Murdered

Last week, the killing in Marseille of Mehdi Kessaci, 20, younger brother of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci, amplified alarm as authorities linked it to his activism and police guarded the funeral mosque and cemetery.
Activists and officials point to turf wars tied to cocaine and cannabis dealing driving killings across Marseille, with Amine Kessaci urging restored public services, tackling school failure, and equipping investigators and police forces.
Amine Kessaci, anti-drug activist and law student, had been threatened, lived under police protection and wore a bulletproof vest while saying his family lacked similar security.
On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting at the Elysee and urged stepped-up action while Interior Minister Laurent Nunez called the crime a 'turning point'; Nunez and Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin are due in Marseille on Thursday.
Amid national debate, officials weigh tougher policing and prevention as Macron said urban middle-class drug users 'finance drug traffickers'; Kessaci urges equipping investigators and supporting victims' families.

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Le Parisien

Lean Right

"Get up, Let's Fight": Amine Kessaci's Appeal Against the Drug Traffic After His Brother Mehdi's Death

The young man, who dreamed of being a peacekeeper, was shot dead by a motorbike commando in Marseille on 13 November.

10 hours ago·Paris, France

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newportplaintalk.com

Lean Left

Macron slams 'bourgeois' drug users as French activist says won't be silenced

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday accused urban middle class drug users of fuelling a narcotics-driven crime wave that has caused alarm nationwide, and a wave of murders in the second city of Marseille.

16 hours ago·Newport, United States

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