Illegal Immigrant Jailed for Brutal Knife Attack on Roommates in Montpellier

It all started with a dispute between three men, in an apartment in La Paillade, on August 20 last in Montpellier. This dispute turned violent. A 61-year-old Moroccan is accused of having attacked his roommates with a knife whose blade measures about 20 centimeters, reports Midi Libre. One of the victims had a wound on the hand, with two severed tendons, the president specifies, adding that the other suffered several cuts to the neck and shoulder. During their intervention, the police found the knife, stained with blood, hidden in the trash can with paper towels. They were able to see blood stains on the back of the defendant’s T-shirt during his arrest.

At the stand, the defendant, assisted by an interpreter, claims not to have used a knife. When questioned by the president on how the two other roommates were injured, he replies: "They did that to themselves." Arrived in France 10 years ago, this sexagenarian is in an irregular situation and has been subject to an obligation to leave French territory since January 2022. Based on the facts, the public prosecutor requested eight months in prison, a ban from French territory (ITF), as well as a ban on contact and appearance at the victims’ home.

Following the prosecutor’s requisitions, the Montpellier criminal court sentences the defendant to eight months of actual imprisonment as well as a five-year ban on carrying a weapon and a three-year ITF, at the end of his incarceration. He is also prohibited from appearing at the residence and from contacting the victims. The court orders him to pay a total of 3,500 € to the two civil parties.