The trial of the three minors who allegedly raped a 12-year-old Jewish girl in the city of Courbevoie in June 2024 will open in Paris Wednesday. The rape, which is suspected of being motivated by antisemitism, shocked France. The defendants were aged 12-13 when they committed the crime, which requires the trial to be held behind closed doors, the AFP news agency reported
The three boys, one of whom the girl knew, approached her as she passed through the public garden near her home and then dragged her to an abandoned hangar. After hurling antisemitic curses at her, including "dirty Jewess," the three threatened her life, and two of them raped her. A medical examination confirmed that she had been raped.
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Jewish community in France rallies against the rape with signs reading: 'In France, in 2024, a little girl is raped because she is Jewish'
(Photo:: Tamar Sebok)
According to her testimony, one of them held a lighter to her cheek and threatened to burn her. The defendants threatened to kill the girl if she told anyone about the rape, while they posted a video online documenting the shocking incident that was committed because she did not tell her ex-boyfriend that she was Jewish.
The children are accused of rape and gang violence, attempted extortion, taking and publishing pornographic photos, threatening to kill, and a crime on a religious basis. Media in France reported that at least one of the boys confessed to the attack. One of them was found in possession of a burnt Israeli flag.
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The shocking rape that occurred during the municipal elections in France caused a stir and was accompanied by demonstrations by the Jewish community, which featured signs with the inscription: "In France, in 2024, a little girl is raped because she is Jewish."
Attorney Udi Bloch, who represents the girl and her family, told Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet Tuesday that "the girl, who was 12 years old at the time of the rape, is receiving psychological treatment but is experiencing panic attacks, flashbacks and nightmares, especially toward the start of the trial. She will come to court because she wants to get answers about why she was a victim of hatred and violence. She and her family expect justice."