A 19-year-old French student was murdered by an alleged Moroccan national rapist who was released from jail while awaiting deportation.
The victim, identified as Philippine, was found buried in a park in a wealthy Paris suburb on Friday. She was a student at Paris-Dauphine University, studying economics, and was last seen near campus around midday on Saturday, according to the Daily Mail.
The suspect, identified by French media as Taha O., is a 22-year-old Moroccan national who had previously served five years in prison for the 2019 rape of a student. After his release from jail in June, he was transferred to a detention center for illegal migrants awaiting deportation. However, due to administrative delays in the expulsion process, a judge released him on September 3. He was required to check in with police regularly and stay at a designated hotel, but he disappeared just three days later when the deportation paperwork was finalized.
The murder has sparked public outrage, with many criticizing France's immigration policies. Marine Le Pen’s right-wing party has used the murder as evidence that the current government must crack down on immigration laws.
“It's time for this government to act: our compatriots are angry and will not be content with just words,” said National Rally chief Jordan Bardella. “This migrant had no right to be here, but he was able to offend again in total impunity. Our justice is too lenient; our state is dysfunctional. It is time for the government to act.”
“Philippine's life was stolen from her by a Moroccan migrant targeted by an OQTF (obligation to leave France),” Bardella highlighted in a post on X.
The suspect, Taha O., was located in Geneva on Tuesday and arrested. He is expected to be extradited to France, per the Daily Mail.
