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27 years in prison sought for Paolo Falzone in 'gilles' attack case
🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

27 years in prison sought for Paolo Falzone in 'gilles' attack case

From La Libre Belgique · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • Prosecutors are seeking a 27-year prison sentence for Paolo Falzone, who was found guilty of seven murders and attempted murder.
  • Falzone intentionally drove into a group of 'gilles' in Strépy-Bracquegnies on March 20, 2022.
  • The defense argued that the requested sentence amounts to vengeance rather than justice, emphasizing the lack of a clear motive.

Prosecutors have requested an exceptionally severe sentence of 27 years in prison for Paolo Falzone, who was convicted last Friday of seven counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The charges stem from an incident on March 20, 2022, when Falzone deliberately drove his vehicle into a group of 'gilles' in Strépy-Bracquegnies.

It catches up with us all the time in daily life. We have no respite.

— Victim (cited by Advocate General)Describing the ongoing impact of the attack.

The Advocate General, Gilles Dupuis, urged the jury and the court to impose a sentence of at least 24 years, stating that there were no mitigating circumstances for Falzone. Dupuis argued that Falzone's actions were extremely violent, causing significant physical and psychological trauma to victims and alarming the entire region. "It catches up with us all the time in daily life. We have no respite," one victim was quoted as saying. The prosecution also pointed to Falzone's personality, described by experts as "self-centered, self-loving," and questioned how someone could cause death for a motive as trivial as "a few likes on a Facebook profile."

How is it possible to cause death for a motive as trivial as a few likes on a Facebook profile? It defies understanding.

— Gilles DupuisAdvocate General questioning the motive behind Falzone's actions.

Dupuis further criticized Falzone's demeanor during the trial, stating he "remained silent and lied." The Advocate General saw no genuine remorse or self-questioning from the accused. "Paolo Falzone, you are the shame of the Italian community of the Centre," declared Me D'Agristina, supporting the prosecution's intent to prove malice.

Paolo Falzone, you are the shame of the Italian community of the Centre.

— Me D'AgristinaA prosecutor's statement directed at the accused.

Representing Falzone, lawyer Me Frank Discepoli argued that the 27-year sentence sought by the prosecution leans more towards "vengeance than justice." While acknowledging the "absolute tragedy," Discepoli contended that Falzone lacked a clear motive, such as hatred, vengeance, greed, or ideology, which are often seen in such accused individuals. He suggested that Falzone's actions, though resulting in death, did not stem from a premeditated intent to kill.

He remained silent and lied. For the truth, he advanced with the handbrake on and even went into reverse.

— Gilles DupuisAdvocate General criticizing Falzone's trial conduct.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Libre Belgique in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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