10-6-2023 (BEAUVAIS) A court in France handed down a sentence of 18 years in prison on Friday (Jun 9) to a man who stabbed and burned alive his 15-year-old girlfriend. The horrific killing of the secondary school student, referred to as Shaina in court, reignited public outrage in France over the alarming number of women who fall victim to violence at the hands of their partners.
During the trial, it was revealed that the accused, who was a 17-year-old high school student at the time of the crime, had lured Shaina to a shed in the town of Creil, located north of Paris, with the intention of killing her and setting her body on fire. A post-mortem examination uncovered “multiple wounds” inflicted by a knife, indicating a violent attack, but it was also discovered that Shaina was still breathing when the fire was started.
According to public prosecutor Loic Abrial, the crime was meticulously planned at every stage. The prosecutor had requested a harsher sentence of 20 or 30 years, but the court took into account the accused’s status as a minor.
Shaina’s brother, Yasin, expressed his anger and disappointment at the court’s decision. In an emotional outburst at the special juvenile court in Oise, he shouted, “18 years! That’s justice in France!” He also had a tense confrontation with the accused before collapsing and being rushed to the hospital. Legal restrictions prevent the media from disclosing the identity of the accused, who has maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
Reacting to the verdict, the accused exclaimed, “Why, why?” He firmly believes in his own innocence and expressed disagreement with the court’s decision after four hours of deliberation.
Defence lawyer Elise Arfi stated that it is “too early” to comment on the possibility of an appeal.
This case has garnered significant attention in France, where official figures indicate that a woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner every three days. Shaina’s murder was particularly shocking due to her young age and the fact that she had previously been a victim of sexual assault, for which four other young individuals received suspended sentences ranging from six months to two years in prison. Graphic images of her assault were shared online with the intent of objectifying Shaina as someone who could be exploited and discarded.
Described by her mother as “funny and smiling,” Shaina was likely in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of her murder, according to investigators. The day before her death, she had gone out after a family dinner, and a positive pregnancy test was found in her handbag by relatives. She attributed the paternity of the child to the accused, with whom she had been in a relationship.
The prosecution argued that the accused was “willing to destroy everything to preserve his image” and evade the disapproval of his parents.
Taking into account time spent in pre-trial detention and potential sentence reductions, Shaina’s family lawyer, Negar Haeri, predicted that the accused could be released in as little as eight years. “Justice doesn’t care about violence against women,” Haeri stated, highlighting the perceived inadequacy of the sentence.
