Previous victim of suspect urges better prevention of recurrence of sex crimes

While the suspect is subject to an OQTF, she urged that the “dysfunction” of this procedure, pointed out by numerous political figures, cannot “obliterate the essential question of recidivism”.

“I think of Philippine and her family, and I am immensely sad.” In a letter addressed to AFP, Sunday September 29, the “Taha O.”‘s first victim, the man suspected of the murder of this 19-year-old student and already convicted in 2021 for rape, called for more means to prevent “the recidivism of sexist and sexual crimes”. This woman, who requested anonymity, requests in particular the “launch of a commission of inquiry” on this issue of recidivism.

“I did everything so that what happened to me would not be repeated,” she declared in this first speech since the discovery on Saturday September 21 of the body of Philippine, buried in the Bois de Boulogne, west of Paris. “I filed a complaint (…), held firm during the two years of investigation, instruction and then trial, telling myself that my approach would protect other women”she continued.

Arrested in Switzerland on Tuesday, Taha O., 22, is the main suspect in the murder of the young woman. As of Thursday, the French authorities had indicated that they would quickly request the extradition of this man of Moroccan nationality, who was subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) since his release from prison in June 2024. He had was released from administrative detention at the beginning of September, despite “the risk of repetition of criminal acts”according to the order of the judge of liberty and detention (JLD).

The fact that the suspect is subject to an OQTF has sparked strong reactions, particularly on the right and the far right. The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, notably urged “develop our legal arsenal, to protect the French”. But for the suspect’s previous victim, the possible “dysfunction“of the OQTF must not “obliterate the primordial question of recidivism”she qualified. “Even if this OQTF had been respected, what international cooperation mechanisms exist to prevent the recurrence of sexist and sexual crimes by deported criminals? Our fraternity, our humanism, cannot stop at the gates of our borders.”

“What measures to prevent recidivism are planned and actually implemented in detention centers? What is the impact of detention in reducing the risk of recidivism? What reintegration support programs are planned?” she listed. Evoking the pain of Philippine’s loved ones as well as thee “unbearable void left by his death”, she asked: “Why did the prison system fail to prevent this recurrence? Why were we unable to stop this escalation of violence leading to the murder of a young woman?”