Kidnapping and Sequestration? A Frenchman Disappears in Morocco, the PNAT Seized

The French justice system is intensifying its search for this 29-year-old Franco-Spanish national. The PNAT, which took over the case on July 28th, met with the victim’s parents in mid-November. This specialized support marks a turning point in a case that had been stagnating since the young man’s arrival in the Moroccan capital in early 2024. He was planning to open a pizzeria there and was due to sign a commercial lease on April 15th, but he stopped giving any sign of life a few days before this deadline.

The Moroccan investigations have dated his disappearance to around 10:30 pm on April 10th. The concern of his loved ones is reinforced by the findings made in his apartment located by the sea. All of his belongings, including his identity papers, his phone, his computer, his glasses and cash, were found intact there.

A request for international criminal assistance

Faced with these disturbing elements, the family filed a complaint with civil party constitution for kidnapping and sequestration in March 2025. The entry of the anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office has allowed the launch of a request for international criminal assistance in October. This procedure, known as a "mirror investigation", aims to allow French magistrates to access the elements collected by the Moroccan police and justice system.

The missing person’s father, Didier Besneville, is making multiple trips to Morocco to maintain the pressure and meet with officials. He has also written to King Mohammed VI and President Emmanuel Macron, urging the two countries to collaborate to elucidate the fate of his son and prevent the case from being closed without further action.