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Isère: in Grenoble, mafia intimidation around construction sites
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In Isère, several construction companies found themselves trapped and extorted. The process is reminiscent of mafia practices. Several investigations have been opened, notably in Grenoble, in a climate of fear and silence.
In the midst of urban renewal, the Grenoble conurbation (Isère) is increasing its number of construction sites. However, some projects are delayed or even stopped. In the south of the city a resident testifies: “They started at one point, and they gave up.”. The cause ? Construction companies are victims of racketeering by delinquents, often from neighboring neighborhoods.
On the front lines, company employees often tell the same story: “guys” of “neighborhood” who come to offer their help at the start of the project in the event of “issue”. A well-established intimidation process, according to a Grenoble police officer. “They use the example of construction sites which are looted, where there have been thefts of tools”he said.
A mafia system
The goal is sometimes to force the entrepreneur to hire this or that security company. The former mayor of Échirolles (Isère) also says he has witnessed blackmail several times. In Grenoble, it has even become a system, according to the public prosecutor. “It’s a mafia system that is put in place, because there is pressure, there are threats, but also because there is secrecy”comments Éric Vaillant.
The Grenoble public prosecutor’s office calls on construction company managers to systematically file complaints. For several years, due to a lack of concrete testimony, legal investigations have struggled to succeed.
