In Islam, you deserve death if you kill someone. That’s what she did with her abortion.” 47-year-old Modibo Dembaga from Mali is on trial for beating, pushing and kicking his wife in the knees on September 20 in Montmacq. The prosecution accuses him of making death threats.
The defendant admits to the death threats. And the acts of violence, except for the kicking. “Contrary to what she says, I was at home. I even woke the children up. She told you that we have been separated for two years. That is not true. My wife has a restaurant in Montmacq, where I was painting even though I was ill. I’m having a nervous breakdown and it’s causing me back pain. I’m just a Muslim who does his prayers. I slept there the whole of August. I left Montmacq on Saturday, and when I came back on Monday morning, she had changed the lock. I wanted to take the children to school.” So he admits that he did not spend the previous night with his ex-partner.
‘As you say, a woman in France has control over her own body…’ replies the judge. ‘If I release you, will you kill her?’ ‘No, I don’t even want to see her again,’ he replies. ‘I’m going to live my life, there are plenty of other women out there (…)’
‘The judge sent you to prison because of your disturbing statements, as it is Islam that tells you to kill your wife,’ interjects the prosecutor. ‘There is also a fear that you will take your children to Mali.’ ‘She can keep my children, I can have more children.’
The court acquits the defendant of the murder threats, as these were not repeated. As he has no previous convictions, the court sentences him to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, for the acts of violence. He is required to undergo treatment and is prohibited from being at the victim’s place of residence and workplace.