A Tunisian migrant living in France illegally for several years was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Wednesday by the Var criminal court for the rape and robbery of a young man in Toulon during the early hours of June 26, 2021.
The long-lasting psychological effects of the attack took their toll on the victim, known by his chosen name “Babou,” who took his own life in 2024 after suffering with the aftermath for three years.
As reported by French news outlet Nice-Matin, Babou was a self-taught pianist, described by those close to him as a “sunny” and “free-spirited” young man. Suffering from multiple sclerosis since his teenage years, the 25-year-old had struggled to adapt to life in Toulon after relocating with his parents from Paris.
On the night of the attack, he had left Sainte-Musse Hospital against medical advice in an emotionally distressed state and under the influence of alcohol.
As Babou attempted to walk home, he encountered 19-year-old Oussama Chledi, a Tunisian national living illegally in France since 2018. The court found that Chledi took advantage of Babou’s disoriented state, stealing his phone and gold chain before demanding oral sex in exchange for their return.
Believing Chledi to be armed and fearing for his life, Babou complied. Chledi then violently raped him on the street.
Chledi was identified through DNA evidence and arrested five months later. Initially, he denied having ever met the victim. It was only when confronted with forensic results during the investigation that he acknowledged a sexual act took place, which he insisted was consensual — a claim he maintained until his trial.
On Wednesday in court, he said for the first time, “Yes, I admit, but I wasn’t in my normal state.” He claimed that a mix of alcohol and medication led him to commit the crime.
The court rejected this explanation. Prosecutor Céline Hortal emphasized that Chledi had shown a pattern of deception during the investigation.
At the trial, a video of Babou playing French pianist Erik Satie’s Gnossienne No. 1 was shown as a tribute to his life.
Defense lawyer Nicolas Tabert attempted to claim the sexual attack was not premeditated, an argument the court dismissed as it sentenced him to an immediate custodial sentence.
In addition, Chledi was permanently banned from French territory following his release.
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