Stiff Jail Terms Sought For French Teens In Chinese Tailor's Murder
Sumaira FH Published June 19, 2018 | 10:43 PM
French prosecutors on Tuesday urged a judge to hand lengthy jail sentences to two youths behind a deadly attack on a Chinese tailor that sparked mass protests by the country's Asian community.
Bobigny, France, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jun, 2018 ) :French prosecutors on Tuesday urged a judge to hand lengthy jail sentences to two youths behind a deadly attack on a Chinese tailor that sparked mass protests by the country's Asian community.
Lawyers for the men who robbed Zhang Chaolin, leaving him with fatal injuries, said prosecutors had asked that the older defendant -- aged 19 at the time of the August 2016 attack -- be sentenced to a 15-year term and the younger -- aged 17 at the time -- to eight years.
Zhang's death caused an outcry among Asians living in France, with thousands taking to the streets to protest what they called an increase in anti-Asian racism in poorer French communities.
Zhang and a friend were on their way to a restaurant in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers when three teenagers fell upon them in the street.
The 49-year-old father of two fell and hit his head on a wall after being kicked in the chest.
He died five days later in hospital, while his friend received minor injuries.
The attack, which netted the assailants the sum total of a phone charger and some sweets, followed a string of robberies targeting Chinese tourists and small-business owners in France's gritty high-rise suburbs, or "banlieues".
The two suspects on trial in a juvenile court near Paris are charged with racist robbery causing death and injury.
Their lawyers protested the lengthy jail terms demanded by the prosecution.
"There was never any intention to murder," they told AFP, saying they feared the authorities wanted to make "an example" of the pair.
A verdict was expected late Tuesday.
During police questioning one of suspects said the gang had targeted the Chinese pair because they had heard Asians "carry a lot of cash".
But defence lawyers denied their clients were racists.
Lawyer Marlene Viallet said that while stereotypes about Asians were rife in low-income suburbs, "there is no hatred towards them".
The attack on Zhang, she said, was purely an act of "delinquency".
Around 10,000 people of Chinese origin live in Aubervilliers, Europe's biggest textile import-export hub, which has a population of 80,000.
Community leaders say security has improved since Zhang's death.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Attaullah Tarar’s success notification from NA-127 challenged
PSX witnesses positive trend today
PM Shehbaz meets CJP Isa to address IHC judges’ concerns
Pakistan vows to bring to justice perpetrators, abettors of Bisham terrorist att ..
May 9 riots: SC allows conditionally to military courts to deliver reserved verd ..
Interior Minister arrives in Peshawar after Shangla suicide attack
OPPO Reno 11 F 5G: Setting New Records as Pakistan's Most Beloved Smartphone Lin ..
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 March 2024
Niger says US to submit plan to 'disengage' troops
Venezuelan opposition registers unknown poll contender after obstacles
More Stories From World
-
Four killed in German motorway bus accident
16 seconds ago -
French bill seeks to ban hair discrimination affecting black women
11 minutes ago -
Gabon's post-coup reform efforts under fire
31 minutes ago -
Meet China's first corgi police dog
1 hour ago -
Singapore sees sharp decrease in PE investment last year
1 hour ago -
China's role model selection for Q1 2024 kicks off
1 hour ago
-
Australians tighten belt as higher grocery prices bite: survey
1 hour ago -
ChiNext Index closes higher Thursday
1 hour ago -
China to improve management of midwife service
2 hours ago -
China to lift anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine
2 hours ago -
Seoul bus drivers' strike ends with wage agreement
2 hours ago -
Revolt at Ecuador jail where powerful gang leader escaped
2 hours ago