In Fourchambault, an ongoing dispute between two residents of a rental building has escalated into a legal battle. A 43-year-old man, an Afghan refugee, appeared before the Nevers Criminal Court on Wednesday, January 14, charged with acts of violence against his female neighbor.
On April 24, 2025, following a new dispute over the use of a shared door, the man allegedly splashed water on his neighbour from his floor before going downstairs to hit her. The victim suffered a broken ankle during the act of self-defence, resulting in 28 days of temporary total incapacity to work. On June 27, there was another incident: the man was unable to reach her, but destroyed her roller shutter. At the hearing, he admitted to the damage but denied the physical violence, claiming that he had only been cleaning his windowsill. ‘I don’t hit women,’ he said on the witness stand.
After fleeing the Taliban regime, he arrived in France in 2016, lives in an unstable legal situation and speaks little French, which is why a Dari interpreter must be present at the hearing. The court also mentions a problem with alcoholism, which is highlighted by his own words – ‘I drink beer, not alcohol’ – and by witness statements from local residents. There are further complaints from another neighbour about violent behaviour.
Based on a range of evidence, including an external statement and a medical certificate, the prosecution requested a ten-month suspended sentence. The court ultimately sentenced the defendant to one year in prison, suspended, with the obligation to undergo addiction treatment, pay a fine of €500 from a previous case of social fraud, and take steps to find employment.