Two young boys in a Paris suburb are facing charges for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, along with charges of religion-motivated violence, as reported by French authorities. The victim, who has been identified as Jewish by a Jewish leader, reported the incident in the town of Courbevoie. Three boys, aged 12 and 13, were taken into custody in connection with the case.
Following an investigation, two of the boys were charged with aggravated gang rape, violence, public insult motivated by religion, death threats, attempted extortion, and the unauthorized recording or broadcasting of sexual images. The girl’s religion was not disclosed, in line with French policies for protecting victims of hate crimes. However, lawyer and Jewish leader Elie Korchia later revealed in an interview that the victim is Jewish and that Palestine was mentioned during the attack.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal publicly denounced the incident, stating that the girl was targeted because of her Jewish faith, labeling it as an antisemitic attack. The two accused boys are currently in custody as the investigation continues, while the third boy has been named as an assisted witness and placed in a special education program. Despite expressing remorse towards the victim, the boys have not admitted to their involvement in the assault.
The attack has sparked widespread shock and concern, especially in light of the recent increase in antisemitic acts in France, coinciding with the Israel-Hamas conflict. Political leaders from various parties have condemned the assault, with Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin describing it as “awful” and acknowledging the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such crimes. He attributed the issue to broader societal and parental factors.
In response to the incident, a protest against antisemitism was held in front of Paris City Hall, drawing hundreds of participants. Demonstrators carried placards with messages condemning the attack and highlighting the victim’s Jewish identity. The case has reignited discussions around security, immigration, and social cohesion in France, particularly amidst the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The allegations of rape and religiously motivated violence have underscored the need for continued efforts to combat hate crimes and protect vulnerable communities. As the investigation progresses and legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by discrimination and intolerance in society.