Investigation into Prison Attacks: Paris Prosecutor Confirms Probe into DZ Mafia's Involvement
Latest on the Investigation into Prison Attacks and Assaults on Guards, now with 21 Arrests
There's a significant turn of events in the ongoing investigation into coordinated attacks on prisons and prison staff. During a press conference on May 3rd, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that the fingerprints of organized crime have been uncovered throughout the investigations. This organized crime influence, whether actual or perceived, will reportedly be extensively examined.
Recent UpdatesAs mentioned on our site earlier this week, at least four of the arrested individuals claim ties to the Marseille-based criminal organization known as the DZ Mafia. According to a source close to the case, a 22-year-old inmate, charged with murder since 2023, was taken from his cell at Avignon prison (Vaucluse) for questioning in custody. He is suspected to be one of the masterminds behind this series of attacks.
Beccuau also highlighted that the profiles of those implicated are quite diverse. The ages of the suspects range from 15 to 37, and they hail from various geographical backgrounds. Some of the suspects have no criminal history, while others are deeply entrenched in the world of organized crime. In total, 19 of the accused are currently incarcerated, and two minors have been placed in a secure educational facility.
A Closer LookWhile the French authorities have not explicitly linked the recent prison attacks to the DZ Mafia, investigators have identified individuals connected to a notorious cartel. So far, 30 suspects have been detained, with seven being released. Earlier raids on April 28th resulted in 25 arrests across Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
The attacks are believed to be retaliation against the government's harsher anti-drug policies, with the DDPF ("Defence of French Prisoners' Rights") taking responsibility via Telegram. However, authorities suspect that the group is merely a cover for drug traffickers resisting new laws targeting prison drug networks.
To combat these organized crime elements, a new bill aimed at isolating high-risk drug traffickers in specialized prison units was passed on April 30th. This legislative move follows the government's February crackdown on the prison drug trade. The perpetrators of these attacks were reportedly recruited online and paid for their attacks, which included arson, gunfire, and graffiti.
The investigation continues, with authorities focusing on the organized crime-drug trafficking nexus. No terrorism links have been confirmed as of yet.
- The recent series of prison attacks and assaults on guards have supposedly been influenced by organized crime, as fingerprints of the mafia have been uncovered throughout the investigations.
- In the ongoing investigation, a 22-year-old inmate, who is supposedly one of the masterminds behind the attacks and has been charged with murder since 2023, was taken for questioning.
- The individuals implicated in the case have diverse profiles, ranging from minors to individuals with no criminal history to those deeply entrenched in the world of organized crime.
- To combat the organized crime-drug trafficking nexus, a new bill has been passed, isolating high-risk drug traffickers in specialized prison units, as part of the government's efforts to combat the prison drug trade.
