Inquiries into jail assaults: details about the ongoing probe resulting in 21 individuals facing charges.
Updating the Latest on the French Prisoners' Rights Defense Group (DDPF) Incident:
Suspected of masterminding a series of attacks against French prisons, administrators, homes, and vehicles since mid-April, the French Prisoners' Rights Defense Group (DDPF) has led authorities on a wild chase.
A Nationwide Crackdown
Following the announcement of around 60 incidents against penitentiary centers or agents in ten days by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a massive crackdown was set in motion. Over 300 investigators across France joined forces, coordinating with the anti-terrorist sub-directorate, the national RAID, and the BRI. This led to the arrest of 30 individuals between Monday and Wednesday. Seven of them were later released.
Twenty-one Suspects, Some Minors
Twenty-one suspects are now under formal investigation for various charges, including "attempted murder in an organized group," "destruction and degradation by a dangerous means," and "criminal association in preparation for crimes and offenses." Among them, seven are already in prison, and two are minors. These individuals were taken into custody within days of the large-scale operation.
Sources close to the case have shared that two suspects arrested on Monday in Isère were under formal investigation since Wednesday. They were found with a jerrican of gasoline around 200 meters from the prison of Varces, who may have been small hands manipulated by one or more instigators.
Drug Trafficking Front Favored, Terrorism Track Dropped
With no radical violent ideology, foreign interference, or terrorist enterprise found, the anti-terrorist prosecutor's office has withdrawn, leaving the investigation to the National Jurisdiction for the Fight against Organized Crime (Junalco). The Pnat and the Junalco have insisted that these actions by the DDPF do not represent a terrorist enterprise, disqualifying the attacks from meeting terrorism criteria. Instead, they believe the group used a method similar to criminal organizations to carry out their missions.
Possible DZ Mafia Involvement
Initial speculation suggested that at least four of those arrested identified with the Marseille-based criminal organization, the DZ Mafia. One of them, a 22-year-old suspected of being one of the instigators, was reportedly taken out of his cell in Avignon prison for questioning. He is said to be the creator of the first 'DDPF' Telegram account and the author of the claim text disseminated on this channel. However, the Pnat and Junalco confirm that more investigation is required to establish clear ties between the DZ Mafia and the DDPF.
Furthermore, a case in Lyon involves an adult and a minor who were presented to an investigating judge separately due to insufficient links with the main investigation. The facts committed in Tarascon and Villefontaine are, however, joined to the main investigation due to established connections. As the investigation unfolds, more revelations about the intricate relationships between protest, drug trafficking, and organized crime continue to emerge. Stay tuned for more updates from our website.
- The French Prisoners' Rights Defense Group (DDPF), under investigation for a series of attacks, has led to the arrest of 30 individuals, some of whom were later released.
- Twenty-one suspects, including minors, are now under formal investigation for charges such as attempted murder, destruction, degradation, and criminal association.
- Initial speculation points towards at least four of the arrested individuals having ties with the Marseille-based criminal organization, the DZ Mafia, but further investigation is required to establish clear links between the two.
- The attacks are currently considered as actions by the DDPF, similar to methods used by criminal organizations, rather than terrorism, as no radical ideology, foreign interference, or terrorist enterprise has been found.
