Rape in the Sénart forest: Aïssa Z. sentenced to twenty years in prison (illustration).

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M.Libert / 20 Minutes

Aïssa Z. was sentenced Thursday by the Essonne Assize Court to 20 years in prison for 32 acts of rape, attempted rape and aggravated sexual assault in the Sénart forest between 1995 and 2000.

After twenty years of investigation and four weeks of trial, this 45-year-old father was found guilty of sexually assaulting nearly thirty women in this forest located 25 km south-east of Paris. .

Confused by DNA traces

The "rapist of the Sénart forest", as the press called him, sowed fear for five years, violently assaulting joggers and walkers.

Wearing a full face motorcycle helmet with a smoked visor that he never took off during the attacks, the man was finally confused by DNA traces (blood and semen) found on half of his victims.

The recurring modus operandi and the consistent testimonies of the complainants on the physical appearance of the aggressor enabled the investigators to conclude that the offenses were serial.

The former bus driver residing in Corbeil-Essonnes, was indicted in 2015 for 34 acts of rape, attempted rape and aggravated sexual assault - some women being pregnant or elderly.

He claims to be innocent and will appeal

After nine hours of deliberation, the Assize Court of Essonne finally followed the requisitions of Advocate General Marc Mulet on Thursday.

The magistrate had argued that "faced with DNA, there is very little chance of getting out of it".

The defense, for its part, had pleaded acquittal and called on the jurors to be more vigilant in the face of "this evidence (...) that we delegate to an expert".

"I am innocent, the victim of a miscarriage of justice," Aïssa Z. insisted throughout the trial, considering that there were "incredible things in this file" and calling into question genetic expertise.

When the verdict was announced, he repeated: “I am innocent”, without departing from the impassibility which characterized him during the trial.

"We take note of the decision and we will appeal tomorrow," said his lawyer, Me Gabriel Dumenil, who regretted that "the court and the jury did not go to the end of their questioning" while they acquitted Aïssa Z. for two acts of rape.

Justice

Essonne: Aïssa Z., accused of 34 rapes and sexual assaults between 1995 and 2000 ... A cold case in court

  • Sexual assault

  • Rape

  • Justice