Pity France doesn't use this anymore.
L
Posted on 12/03/2007 1:45:26 PM PST by knighthawk
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France (Reuters) - Six teenagers went on trial in southern France on Monday over the torching of a bus in 2006, hearing the testimony of a young woman who was severely burned in the incident.
The trial again highlights the problem of urban violence in France, a week after youths in a suburb north of Paris clashed with police and set fire to shops, cars and public buildings in two consecutive nights of unrest.
The six youths facing trial are suspected of being part of a gang of eight who attacked a bus in the southern port city of Marseille in October last year, spraying petrol on the seats and setting it ablaze as passengers tried to flee.
One passenger, Mama Galledou, a student from Senegal, caught fire and spent months in hospital recovering from severe burns covering 62 percent of her body.
The six teenagers, aged between 16 and 18 years, are accused of arson inflicting a handicap or mutilation and face up to 30 years in prison. Two younger boys were sentenced to eight years in prison by a juvenile court in September.
Galledou, 27, testified by video link for about half an hour, telling the court of her "need to know" exactly what happened the night the bus was torched.
"It hurts so much that in the end it doesn't hurt any more," she said. "I can't let go, I have to live."
People present in the courtroom said she smiled and wore a transparent neck brace.
"It was deeply moving. She spoke without hatred or anger. She gave us a lesson in courage," said Akim Ikhlef, one of the defence lawyers.
TRUTH, NOT EXCUSES
The Marseille incident followed a number of similar attacks last year on buses near Paris close to the first anniversary of 2005 riots in France's run-down and multiracial suburbs.
Media have quoted the teenagers as saying they wanted a share of the attention given to the violence near Paris.
Many young people in the bleak estates surrounding France's big cities say they face discrimination when trying to find a job or better housing.
Some of the youths' lawyers said they feared last week's violence near Paris could weigh on the trial.
To Galledou, the severity of the youths' sentence, if they are found guilty, is of little importance, her lawyer said.
"(If found guilty), whether these attackers get several months or many years in prison is of little interest. It won't give her health back," lawyer Alain Molla said. "She expects the truth from this trial, more than obvious excuses."
The verdict at the court for minors in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence is due on Friday. The case is being held behind closed doors, as is standard practice for minors.
(Writing by Kerstin Gehmlich; Editing by Keith Weir)
Reuters (IDS)
Ping
Pity France doesn't use this anymore.
L
Youths again.
Better to call them “pigs.” That would get a rise out of them.
It looks like they are actually coming down hard on the offenders. I’m impressed. Figured France would have put them on probation with an adminishment to “not do it again.”
Wonder how many are named muhammed?
The Sark is in charge.
I'd like to see that device used on those who blame Utes for crimes we have nothing to do with. Hell, most of us haven't even been to France. And what few of us who were was to liberate them during WWI and WWII.Burning at the stake is a more appropriate punishment for arsonists.
Just hang all 6 of them.
Why a stake?
Strap them down in a bus and set it on fire.
No like your idea. Ruins good bus. Stake in pile of pig manure much better. You ever see how nice dried pig manure burn?
Well they are not Arab. All are of Sub-Saharan African origin but French nationals nevertheless. I am not saying they may not be named Muhammed, but France has a dual immigration problem - Arabs and Africans.
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