Thousands march in Marseille to denounce drug violence after killing of activist’s brother

Thousands March in Marseille to Protest Drug Violence After Activist’s Brother Killed

Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Marseille on Saturday to protest escalating drug violence following the murder of Mehdi Kessaci, the 20-year-old brother of a prominent anti-drug activist. The killing has shocked France and highlighted the growing crisis of drug-related violence in the country’s southern port city.

Nearly 6,000 people participated in the peaceful demonstration, many dressed symbolically in white. They marched behind a “Justice for Mehdi” banner, observing a moment of silence before raising their hands in a collective gesture rejecting drug violence. Politicians from across France’s political spectrum joined the protest in a rare show of unity on the issue.

The march was organized by Amine Kessaci, 22, Mehdi’s older brother and a well-known anti-drug campaigner who authorities believe was the intended target of the intimidation. Similar demonstrations occurred simultaneously in approximately 20 other cities across France, indicating the national resonance of the tragedy.

Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone confirmed earlier this week that an investigation has been opened for “premeditated murder committed by an organized group.” The primary theory is that Mehdi, who had no involvement in drug trafficking and aspired to become a police officer, was killed to intimidate his activist brother.

“Mehdi had nothing to do with drug trafficking,” Bessone emphasized. Amine Kessaci, who has been “the target of threats and intense pressure” according to officials, has been placed under police protection. At his brother’s funeral, Amine wore a bulletproof vest and was surrounded by heavy security.

This marks the second family tragedy for Amine, who lost another brother, Brahim, to drug violence in 2020. That loss prompted him to establish the association “Conscience,” which supports families affected by gang violence. Unlike Mehdi, Brahim had been involved in drug trafficking, according to Amine’s own account.

Marseille has long struggled with drug trafficking, serving as a major entry point for narcotics into Europe. Its strategic location on the Mediterranean has made it a persistent hotspot for organized crime and associated violence.

The scale of France’s drug problem is reflected in government statistics. In 2024 alone, authorities have recorded 367 cases of murder or attempted murder linked to drug trafficking, resulting in 110 deaths and 341 injuries. The perpetrators are increasingly young, with more than 25% of the 176 individuals jailed for murder and attempted murder being under 20 years old, including 16 minors.

Drug seizures have dramatically increased, with 47 tonnes of cocaine intercepted in 2024—more than double the previous year’s total—indicating both intensified enforcement efforts and the expanding scale of trafficking operations.

The French government has responded to the crisis with multiple initiatives. Earlier this year, officials launched a national awareness campaign targeting recreational drug users, emphasizing how their habits fuel gang violence and death. In June, France passed new anti-drug legislation establishing a specialized prosecutors’ office dedicated to organized crime, modeled after the country’s counterterrorism office.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez claims these efforts have produced results in Marseille, with homicides decreasing from 49 in 2023 to 24 in 2024, and drug dealing points reportedly cut in half from 160 to 80. However, Nuñez acknowledged that Mehdi Kessaci’s killing demonstrates drug gangs have reached “a new level of violence.”

The murder has renewed questions about the effectiveness of France’s anti-drug strategies and highlighted the human cost of the narcotics trade. For many demonstrators in Marseille, the protest represented not just a call for justice for Mehdi but a demand for lasting solutions to a problem that continues to claim innocent lives despite government interventions.

As France grapples with this latest tragedy, the Kessaci family’s personal loss has become emblematic of a broader national struggle against the violence and social damage inflicted by drug trafficking networks.