19-year-old victim of beating in Metz dies; suspects charged

A 19-year-old man who was brutally beaten early Saturday morning in Metz, France, died on Tuesday. The victim had been declared brain-dead on Monday by the Metz public prosecutor's office.

His two alleged assailants, a 20-year-old and a 27-year-old, were brought before an investigating judge on Monday. Both were charged and placed in pre-trial detention at the request of the prosecution.

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The two men, aged 20 and 27, brought before the prosecutor's office yesterday (Monday) have both been charged by the investigating judge and placed in pre-trial detention by the judge of liberties and detention at the prosecutor's request.

According to local reports, the assault occurred early Saturday in the city center following a fight. The reasons for the aggression remain unclear, but the prosecutor's office indicated it may have stemmed from a "futile motive, against a backdrop of alcohol consumption." A third individual, aged 19, was initially taken into custody but was later cleared of any involvement.

An association, STOP Homophobie, had suggested a possible homophobic motive for the attack, though this has not been confirmed by the prosecutor. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding the young man's death and the motivations behind the assault. Authorities have stated that evidence of a kick to the victim's head has not yet been substantiated. If a homophobic motive is proven, the suspects face a potential sentence of life imprisonment.

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futile motive, on a background of alcoholization