The mother of Inass Touloub, a four-year-old girl found dead and mutilated beside the A10 motorway in 1987, was confronted by protesters after the first morning of her trial in Blois. Several members of the Mouv’Enfants collective followed Halima El Bakhti, 74, for around 100 metres as she left the courthouse, shouting slogans including “Justice for Inass” and “shame.”
The group had held a demonstration outside the court before the hearing began. Its members, who are former victims of violence and campaign for children’s rights and protection, also placed photographs showing the girl’s battered face on the courthouse walls.
El Bakhti, who is being tried before the Loir-et-Cher assize court on charges of torture and barbaric acts resulting in death without intent to cause it, was eventually cornered against a wall. Her lawyer, Camille Radot, protected her as police intervened. At least three officers were needed to restrain Arnaud Gallais, president of Mouv’Enfants.
After several minutes, El Bakhti was able to leave. Gallais said the people responsible should be held accountable, referring to the injuries found on Inass’s body. He also argued that the justice system should answer for the case and said the child remained alone, apart from associations defending her interests.
Inass’s father, 72-year-old Ahmed Touloub, is also on trial for alleged complicity. The proceedings represent the latest stage in one of France’s oldest cold cases. The child’s identity was not established until 2018, after a development involving DNA sampling in another case.
Sources: Le Figaro.