A former deputy mayor of Marseille and a co-owner face three years in prison as a trial examines the tragic building collapses on Rue d’Aubagne, which killed eight residents. Prosecutor Michel Sastre demands accountability for all defendants, highlighting negligence and inadequate housing. The case emphasizes the need for public safety and responsibility, with severe penalties sought for those involved, including officials and property managers, as the tragedy reflects broader systemic failures.
Severe Sentences Demanded in Marseille’s Deadly Collapses
In a shocking turn of events, a former deputy mayor of Marseille, along with a co-owner, faces three years in prison as the trial unfolds regarding the tragic building collapses on Rue d’Aubagne. The prosecution has called for stringent penalties, emphasizing that this tragedy, rooted in inadequate housing, was not merely a matter of chance.
Prosecutor Michel Sastre urged the court to thoroughly examine the failures of all 16 defendants, aiming to establish a precedent that resonates with the message: “Never again.” He underscored the importance of this case as a learning opportunity, highlighting the profound consequences of negligence.
A Call for Accountability
Throughout the five-week trial, the memories of the eight residents who lost their lives lingered in the courtroom. The prosecution passionately reminded the court, “When lives are at stake, public funds should never be compromised!” This statement particularly targeted Julien Ruas, the only elected official on trial, whose efforts to combat inadequate housing were reduced to a mere two letters over four years.
At the time of the collapses, Ruas was under the leadership of LR Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin, tasked with urban risk prevention and maintaining dangerous buildings. The prosecutor labeled him an “indirect contributor to the tragedy” due to his unacceptable conduct. Alongside the three-year prison sentence, a permanent ban on any role related to individual safety was also requested.
Defending Ruas, his lawyer Erick Campana argued that the prosecution is attempting to scapegoat him for a broader, failing city policy.
The prosecutor additionally sought convictions against the co-owners identified by civil parties, except for one, asserting that they were fully aware of the structural issues within their building. He criticized their priorities, stating they aimed to delay necessary repairs and minimize expenses, thereby neglecting their fundamental responsibility to ensure tenant safety.
In a poignant moment, the prosecutor reflected on the story of an eight-year-old boy, now a teenager, who lost his mother, Ouloume Saïd Hassani, in the tragedy. He lamented, “If only they had invested the 5,000 euros needed for underpinning the building, little El Amine would be enjoying holidays with his mother.” The courtroom was silent as the boy’s heartfelt words echoed, “I miss her.”
Prosecutor Sastre’s sentencing recommendations ranged from two to five years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and compromising the safety of vulnerable individuals. The most severe punishment was sought for Xavier Cachard, a former regional official who held dual roles as both owner and lawyer for the building’s management.
Additionally, Richard Carta, the architect who was hastily called to assess the building just weeks before the disaster, may also face prison time. He left the site without engaging with tenants or inspecting critical areas like the basement. The prosecutor criticized this rushed approach, requesting three years, with one year suspended, along with a permanent ban on future assessments.
Furthermore, the prosecution called for accountability from the legal entities involved, including the management of the affected building and the social landlord Marseille Habitat, which failed to maintain the adjacent structure.
The courtroom, filled to capacity with lawyers, journalists, victims’ families, and concerned citizens, witnessed this momentous trial, which many deemed “historic.” The public prosecutor of Marseille, Nicolas Bessone, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that this tragedy is “not just a judicial case” but “a wound in the heart of Marseille.” He concluded that the victims’ deaths were a consequence of greed, negligence, incompetence, and above all, a pervasive indifference.