Trial of the attack on a journalist: 12 years in prison for the main accused

The trial of the attack on L’Union newspaper photographer Christian Lantenois ended before the Marne youth court in Reims this Thursday, October 3, 2024. The main suspect was sentenced to 12 years in prison accusation

On February 27, 2021, Christian Lantenois was in the Croix-Rouge district of Reims, in the Marne, to produce a report on a conflict between rival groups. This photo shoot for the newspaper L’Union is being violently attacked. He will spend four weeks in a coma, today it bears the severe side effects of the attack.

Monday September 30, 2024, the trial of the accused attackers began before the Marne juvenile court. The hearing was held behind closed doors as one of the accused was a minor at the time of the incident. The president of the court did not want to raise this closed session, as the civil party specifically requested.

After four days of hearing, the court delivered its decision this past Thursday, October 3 around 6:15 pm. She sentenced the main accused, Anes said Chebebto 12 years in prison, with a security period of 6 years. It is forbidden to stay in the Marne department for 5 years. The second man, a minor at the time of the events – whose identity we cannot provide – was sentenced to 4 years in prison, 3 of which were suspended. He will serve his sentence with an electronic bracelet. The decision of the Senate Court can be appealed within ten days.

Earlier in the day, the Attorney General had asked for a 15-year prison sentence for the main accused, along with a security period of seven years, as well as a ban on land​​​​ of France. The young man, who is now 25 years old, was born in Algeria. For the second accused, 19 years old today, he had asked for a much lower sentence, five years in prison, one of which was suspended, with two years probation.

Eight other young men, who were present at the time of the attack, will be judged later for participation in a group with a view to preparing violence: two before the criminal court, six before the children’s court.