Attorney General Sylvaine Schumacher emphasised the credibility of the plaintiff, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime on November 7, 2021, and her ‘courage’ to appear as a witness. On the other hand, the numerous contradictions of the defendant El Bachir Rahmouni convinced the prosecution of his guilt. His lawyer referred to ‘the weight of tradition’ and pleaded that the sexual relationship was voluntary but not wanted by the young woman.
When the closing words were announced, the accused broke into loud sobs before collapsing in the courtroom and trying to vomit and moan. He interrupted his lawyer Said Benhamed, who had just started his plea. A ten-minute recess was ordered and the lawyer continued. Lawyer Said Benhamed, who pleaded for acquittal, emphasised ‘the weight of tradition’ to justify the assumption that the plaintiff had consented but was unable to ‘take responsibility in front of her family’. […]
La Provence / Aubagne (13): un migrant Algérien est jugé pour le viol d’une jeune fille mineure et vulnérable, son avocat plaide “le poids des traditions” – Fdesouche