Algerian Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Attempted Immolation of Partner and Infant in Lille

The events took place on January 5 at the couple’s family home in Lille. Ahmed Kahlouche sprayed his wife with gasoline before giving up at the last moment to light the fire, as his partner was holding their seven-month-old child in her arms, French media report. The defendant left the house. A relative of his wife contacts the police to tell them the facts. The police manage to arrest the Algerian national the same day in the streets of the city. He will be placed in pre-trial detention.

During his hearing, the young mother says she is "terrified" of her partner, who regularly prevents her from leaving the house because he is jealous. She also told the investigators that her husband "strangled" her with a telephone cable several months ago.

Ahmed Kahlouche appeared before the Lille Criminal Court on February 11. At the bar, he denies the facts. But some SMS he sent to his wife prove that he has repeatedly threatened to kill her: "I’ll kill you for what you’re doing" "You’re dead! You’re dead!" "I swear. I’m going to kill you!" The verdict was handed down: the defendant was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the total loss of parental authority over his daughter, as well as a permanent ban from French territory.