Murder of Mehdi Kessaci in Marseille Sparks National Investigation into Organized Crime

On November 13, 20-year-old Mehdi Kessaci was assassinated in broad daylight in Marseille’s 4th arrondissement, an act investigators believe was intended as a warning to his brother, Amine Kessaci, a well-known anti-drug trafficking activist. The murder has radically shaken Marseille’s community, especially activists and local leaders who now live in fear amid rising concerns over narcotrafic violence and the emergence of a culture of silence, or omerta.

Following the incident, the investigation has been escalated and transferred to the Juridiction nationale de lutte contre la criminalité organisée (Junalco) in Paris, reflecting its gravity and national significance. The Marseille prosecutor’s office focused early on the theory that the killing was an "assassination warning" directed at Amine Kessaci, who has been outspoken and politically active against drug trafficking networks.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the crime as one of intimidation, emphasizing the urgent need to address the violence gripping Marseille. Nuñez, alongside Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, plans to visit Marseille soon at the request of President Emmanuel Macron, who has called for an intensified crackdown on narcotrafic. Macron is set to reconvene national stakeholders involved in the anti-drug fight in mid-December and intends to personally visit Marseille.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu advocated for adopting a national unity approach, urging anti-drug efforts to emulate France’s counter-terrorism responses, signaling a heightened level of governmental concern and coordination.

Mehdi’s funeral was conducted under heavy police surveillance reflecting the tense atmosphere gripping the city. Community members expressed shock and described living in a pervasive state of fear, with many reluctant to speak out openly about ongoing threats.

This tragic event underscores the dangerous environment faced by activists like Amine Kessaci and highlights the broader struggle to combat narcotics-related criminality in Marseille, one of France’s most affected urban areas.