Four more suspects indicted in Marseille murder of anti-drug activist's brother, total now 11
French authorities have indicted four more people in the November 2025 killing of Mehdi Kessaci, bringing the total to 11. The murder is believed to be a case of mistaken identity targeting his brother, anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci.
New indictments
Four new suspects, three men and one woman aged 20 to 25, were indicted on July 7 for "murder and attempted murder in an organized gang" and "participation in a criminal association for the preparation of a crime". They were arrested on June 30 and placed in pre-trial detention. All were already known to the justice system, with three currently incarcerated for other offenses.
Investigation timeline
The murder of Mehdi Kessaci occurred in November 2025 in Marseille. A first wave of arrests on March 23, 2026, led to 10 individuals being taken into custody and six indicted. A seventh suspect was arrested on May 18. The latest arrests bring the total number of people charged to 11.
- Mehdi Kessaci murdered in Marseille
- First wave of arrests: 10 in custody, 6 indicted
- Seventh suspect arrested and indicted
- Four new suspects arrested
- Four new suspects indicted and jailed
Mistaken identity
Investigators believe the killers targeted Amine Kessaci, a prominent environmental activist and anti-drug campaigner, but killed his brother by mistake. Mehdi, 20, had no criminal ties and was planning to join the police. He was using a phone registered in Amine's name, and just before the murder, he answered a call likely made by the assassins to confirm their target's identity.
Organized crime link
The murder is attributed to the DZ Mafia, a Marseille drug trafficking gang. Drug-related violence claimed 17 lives in Marseille in 2025. Prosecutor Vanessa Perrée stated that the investigation uncovered evidence suggesting the four new suspects played roles ranging from active participation in the acts to involvement in the chain of command.
Serious or concordant elements suggest that these four individuals may have, for some, played an active role in the various acts, for others, in the chain of command.
