Carcassonne. The legitimate defense pleaded after violence against an SFR executive.

On Friday, three men aged 25, 29, and 39 appeared before the sole judge of Carcassonne to answer charges of “violence committed in a group, resulting in incapacity not exceeding eight days”. The incidents date back to March 12, 2022 in Carcassonne.

On Saturday, March 12, 2022, in the early afternoon, Boumediene, Farouk, and Mohamed visited the after-sales service of the SFR store in Carcassonne to inquire about a phone left for repair. They were informed that the phone could not be repaired under warranty, leading to an escalation in which they demanded a new phone and resorted to violence. The three brothers, aged 39, 29, and 25, became involved in a violent altercation where one of the store’s executives was punched and kicked while on the ground. Another seller who tried to intervene also suffered physical assault.

Four years after the incident, the three brothers appeared before the Carcassonne court to face charges of “violence committed in a group resulting in incapacity not exceeding eight days,” “death threat reiterated,” and “damage to someone else’s property committed in a group.” Boumediene admitted to punching the store manager in defense of his younger brother Farouk. Farouk, on the other hand, acknowledged his involvement in the violence but mentioned it was out of fear and adrenaline. Mohamed confessed to hitting the store manager while he was on the ground.

During the trial, the defense for the store manager requested a postponement for civil interests. The prosecutor argued that there was a clear disproportion and no legitimate defense in this case. Boumediene faced a suspended sentence of ten months and 120 fine days. Farouk received twelve months in prison with a form of house arrest under electronic surveillance, while Mohamed was sentenced to twelve months, eight of which were suspended, with house arrest under electronic surveillance for the remaining term.

Boumediene’s defense lawyer pleaded for self-defense, citing the victim’s intolerable behavior. The defense for Mohamed and Farouk advocated for a constructive sentence. In the end, Boumediene was acquitted based on the legitimate defense of others. Mohamed was acquitted of some charges but received fines for violence. Farouk, also acquitted of some charges, was sentenced to ten months of prison under electronic surveillance.