Le Figaro Marseille
The decree of the prefect of Var prohibiting
“all individuals residing in Bouches-du-Rhône and known to have criminal records relating to narcotics, from driving or parking on public roads”
in Hyères
“without legitimate reason
” was suspended this Thursday following a decision by the administrative court,
Le Figaro
learned from corroborating sources, confirming information from
Libération.
Last week, the prefect of Var issued a decree aimed at prohibiting Marseille drug dealers from staying in the seaside resort of Hyères and in the neighboring town of Carqueiranne.
The state's objective was to prevent
"any takeover"
of drug trafficking in the popular Val des Rougières district, targeted in recent months by anti-drug operations.
The Toulon administrative court was seized by the Human Rights League and the Association for the Defense of Constitutional Freedoms.
In its decision, which
Le Figaro
was able to consult, the court considers that
“the criteria retained by the prefect, due to their generality and their imprecision, particularly with regard to the criminal record taken into account, are not sufficiently adapted to prevent unrest. »
The judge also underlines that the bans
“are manifestly excessive in view of the disturbances to public order observed.”
“It follows that the contested police measure is neither adapted nor proportionate to the aim pursued by the administration,”
considers the court
.
Under these conditions, the prefect of Var caused a serious and manifestly illegal attack on the freedom to come and go of the people targeted.”
Also read “No one wants to come and live in this neighborhood”: plagued by drug trafficking, Nîmes is sinking into a spiral of violence
A decree “much too broad”
“I find this decision completely classic and in line with case law,”
rejoices the lawyer for the Human Rights League, Me Marion Ogier.
This decree was presented in the press as targeting Marseille drug dealers but, in reality, it is not that at all.
It targeted any person residing in Bouches-du-Rhône with a history related to drugs, without time limit.
You could have been arrested fifteen years ago for drug use while driving and be banned from staying in the municipalities concerned.
It’s not about defending the dealers, but the decree was broader, much too broad.”
The state reacted to this decision in a terse press release.
“The prefect of Var takes note of the suspension pronounced by the judge of the administrative court of Toulon”
, we can read in the text.
“The application of these measures, initially planned from February 28 until Friday March 8, is therefore suspended from this day.”
“To date, as part of these administrative measures provided for by the prefectural decrees of February 27 and March 1, the internal security forces have carried out checks on 240 people and 135 vehicles, and the arrest of one individual. carrying weapons in his vehicle
,” underlines the prefect.
The objective stated by the prefecture and the prosecutor of Toulon, Samuel Finielz, when promulgating this decree was to
“allow a return to calm within the Val des Rougières and guarantee security for residents and allow associations to resume their activities. activities within this neighborhood
.
In 2023, assassinations linked to drug trafficking cost the lives of 49 people in Marseille, a record figure attributable to a
“strategy of intimidation and terror”
by traffickers, according to the police headquarters in Marseille.