Second brother of French anti-drugs activist murdered in Marseille • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Gangland killings
• Drug trafficking
• Warning as a motive
• Victim's family involvement in anti-drug efforts
• Community shock and fear
• Police protection
• Perpetrators at large

Murder of Muhammad Cassasi in Marilles

On a Thursday afternoon at 2:30 PM, a 20-year-old man, Muhammad Cassasi, was fatally shot while in his parked car in front of a pharmacy in the working-class neighborhood of Marilles. The incident was witnessed by a school student who described the scene as shocking, with a sheet on the ground and a heavy police presence. The student expressed fear and disbelief, stating, "I keep thinking that at any moment someone could shoot me just because I live here."

Connection to Drug Trafficking and Potential Motive

While the style of the attack is reminiscent of drug-related gangland killings, the victim, Muhammad Cassasi, had no known connection to police or drug trafficking activities. However, his older brother, Amin Cassasi, is a prominent environmental activist publicly committed to fighting drug trafficking in Marilles. The prosecutor has not ruled out the possibility that the murder was intended as a warning to Amin Cassasi. The prosecutor stated, "This 20-year-old man has no direct or indirect connection to narco trafficking except through his brother Amin, who is indeed very involved in the fight." The possibility of targeting someone involved in fighting drug trafficking is considered a "tipping point."

Amin Cassasi's Activism and Previous Loss

This incident is not the first tragedy for Amin Cassasi and his family related to drug trafficking. He had already lost a half-brother who was murdered in connection with drug trafficking at the end of 2020. Following this loss, Amin Cassasi became president of an association dedicated to assisting the families of murder victims in Marilles, a city experiencing widespread drug-related violence.

Community Reaction and Threats

The local community was deeply affected by the murder. One individual expressed, "I know the fight of Amin on behalf of the victim's families. So this makes us all the more sad. Their mom is going to bury two children in four years. It's unimaginable." Amin Cassasi had recently published a book on drug trafficking in Marilles and had been under police protection for the past month due to threats he had received.

Investigation and Perpetrators

A burned-out motorcycle was discovered in the city, believed to be connected to the crime. The two perpetrators remain at large and are actively being sought by authorities.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The murder of Muhammad Cassasi in Marilles highlights the pervasive and brutal nature of drug-related violence in the city. The incident appears to be a targeted act, likely intended as a warning to his brother, Amin Cassasi, a vocal activist against drug trafficking. The case underscores the profound impact of this violence on families and the wider community, with Amin Cassasi himself having experienced prior loss and now facing threats that necessitate police protection. The investigation is ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.