A 19-year-old Afghan is set to stand trial in France after being accused of repeatedly abusing goats and sheep near Marseille.
The suspect was arrested on the night of April 10th by the anti-crime brigade (BAC) in the municipality of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, following a series of incidents reported by livestock owners. Since early 2026, farmers had reported finding various injured animals, all showing signs of sexual abuse. Some animals were found with their legs bound.
In an effort to identify the perpetrator, owners installed motion-activated cameras on their land. The footage captured a young man approaching the herds, which was later used by police to identify and apprehend the suspect.
The accused has been placed in custody and faces charges related to acts of cruelty against domestic animals, which carry a potential sentence of up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine. Prosecutors have requested pre-trial detention.
