Saïd Bogota, actor known for his roles in
Taxi 5
and
Pattaya
, has been appearing since Monday for kidnapping, kidnapping and attempted murder, with three other men, in front of the Evry juvenile assize court.
Read also Actor Saïd Bogotà arrested and indicted for kidnapping and abuse of a teenager
Installed on a platform because of his small size, the actor, dressed in a white shirt, his hair slicked back, appeared calm in the accused's box, facing the victim, accompanied by his two parents and his sister. Saïd Bogota is notably on trial for having ordered in December 2018 the kidnapping of the boyfriend of one of his former companions, also present at the hearing.
The young man, a minor at the time of the facts, was kidnapped and then sequestered in a cellar of a building for several hours, where his captors notably forced him to ingest hydrochloric acid.
Then transported to a field, he received two flashball shots to the head, probably at point blank range, tear gas in the face, knocks on the head with an adjustable wrench and was then sprayed with gasoline before being set on fire.
Among the three attackers, including two just major at the time of the facts, the teenager formally recognizes the actor Saïd Bogota, 28 years old, whom he designates as the sponsor of the ambush.
Abuse inflicted
During his various hearings, Saïd Bogota, with no criminal record, admitted part of the violence but denied having wanted to kill. As one of the alleged accomplices was under 18 at the time of the events, this trial is being held before a juvenile assize court. If the closed session is customary before this judicial body, which excludes the press, Advocate General François Camard asked for its lifting on Monday to
"understand the important role of communication and social networks in this affair". "The publicity of the debates constitutes the usual rule",
abounded Francis Szpiner, the counsel of the civil parties. Despite the clear opposition of defense lawyers to
"the court of public opinion"
which according to them represents the press, the court considered that the restricted publicity of the debates
"did not impose itself on it"
. The jurors will notably have to determine the responsibility of each of the accused in the abuse inflicted on the victim, their versions do not agree. The trial is due to take place until Tuesday, September 21.
