Investigation and Public Outcry in Marseille Following Mehdi Kessaci’s Assassination Linked to Narcotraffic

Mehdi Kessaci, a 20-year-old from Marseille, was assassinated on November 13, 2025, in a killing that has sparked widespread public debate over narcotrafficking and criminal gang violence in the city. Investigators suspect the DZ Mafia’s involvement, with a particular focus on Amine O., a key leader of the cartel who has been imprisoned since March, though no official indictment has been made regarding his direct orchestration of the murder.

The attack involved two masked men on a motorcycle shooting Mehdi at close range, reportedly targeting him as a warning to his brother Amine Kessaci, a prominent local activist against drug trafficking. Amine’s activism is deeply personal, stemming from the earlier death of another brother, Brahim, who was found burned in a car in 2020 amidst narcotrafficking violence.

In response, a silent white march is set for November 22, beginning at the Claudie-d’Arcy roundabout in Marseille’s 4th arrondissement. Organized by the association Conscience, the march aims to honor Mehdi’s memory and demonstrate community resistance against narcotraffic's destructive impact.

Politically, the assassination has prompted a gesture of national solidarity as well. Former socialist senator Jérôme Durain has formally requested President Emmanuel Macron to award the Légion d’honneur to Amine Kessaci. Durain emphasized that such a recognition would honor Amine’s courageous stand against narcotrafficking and send a powerful message of republican support and protection. Durain noted, "The Republic would stand behind Amine in his struggles, in front of him to protect him," linking this honor to the broader fight against organized crime.

This tragic event shines a spotlight on Marseille’s ongoing battle with drug-related violence and the courage of local activists like Amine Kessaci who resist it despite personal loss. As investigations continue, the scheduled marches and political attention represent a rallying point against narcobanditism in Marseille.