Second Brother of French Anti-Drugs Campaigner Shot Dead in Marseille
A young French campaigner has tragically lost his second brother to suspected gang violence in Marseille, a city known for its escalating drug-related conflicts. Amine Kessaci, who has dedicated his life to fighting against drug violence, faces an unbearable loss as his brother Mehdi, just 20 years old, was shot while parking his car in central Marseille.
Details of the Incident
– Victim: Mehdi Kessaci, 20
– Method of Attack: Shot with a 9mm pistol by a pillion passenger on a motorcycle
– Prior Incident: Mehdi’s older brother, Brahim, was murdered in 2020; his body was found in a burned car, a tactic known as a barbecue, typical in gang murders.
Escalating Drug Violence in Marseille
– Marseille struggles with worsening drug wars, primarily involving rival gangs from high-immigration neighborhoods.
– While Brahim had associations with drug gangs, investigations indicate that Mehdi had no criminal ties and aspired to be a police officer.
Chief prosecutor Nicolás Bessone commented on the potential implications of the murder, expressing concern that it could be a warning directed at Amine. “If that turns out to be the case, it indicates a troubling shift, evoking darker periods in our history when innocent lives were lost due to family vendettas,” he stated.
Amine Kessaci’s Advocacy
In the wake of his brother’s death, Amine has become increasingly active in community support through his association, Conscience, aimed at aiding young people in Marseille to escape gang influence. Key activities include:
– Providing assistance to families affected by drug violence.
– Establishing connections between former delinquents and potential employers.
At just 22, Amine lives under police protection following threats to his safety. Despite these challenges, he continues to spread his message, even running unsuccessfully for the Green Party in local elections.
The Impact of Violence
The rise in drug-related murders is alarming, with 14 incidents reported this year alone. Local officials, such as Green Party city councillor Christine Juste, express their outrage at the ease with which violence persists in France’s second-largest city.
Amine, once dubbed the kid from the estates who has Macron’s ear, met President Emmanuel Macron in 2021 to discuss vital improvements for the city. Reflecting on his political journey in his book, Marseille: Wipe Your Tears – Life and Death in a Land of Drugs, he remarked: “Politics never held out its hand to me, so I decided to grab it by the throat. Brahim—your tragic end pushed me into politics.”
As Marseille grapples with the repercussions of drug violence, Amine Kessaci exemplifies the fight against this harsh reality, turning his family’s grief into a pursuit for change and justice.