In 2011, gendarme Myriam Sakhri was found dead in her barracks in Lyon.

After a first procedure opened for harassment and murder which was concluded with a dismissal in 2015, his family brought to justice new elements, which must be examined by the court of appeal of Lyon on Tuesday.

At the microphone of Europe 1, the sister of the young woman expresses her hope that the investigation will rebound. 

EXCLUSIVE

A bullet in the abdomen, his service weapon at his feet.

In September 2011, gendarme Myriam Sakhri, 32, was found dead in her barracks in Lyon.

During her lifetime, she had told those around her about alleged harassment at her workplace.

The investigation which was to clarify the circumstances of his death, and which lasted only six months, had concluded a suicide for personal reasons.

But nine years later, the family produced new elements to reopen the investigations for harassment and manslaughter.

They are examined on Tuesday by the investigating chamber of the Lyon Court of Appeal.

At the microphone of Europe 1, the sister of the gendarme, Hassina Sakhri, exclusively tells about her "fight". 

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The family points to harassment

"We are waiting for a new investigation for acts of harassment to be carried out. We have testimonies from gendarmes, colleagues who show us that the investigation carried out by the GIGN - gendarmes who are investigating gendarmes, therefore - did not not been carried out impartially, ”argues Hassina Sakhri.

Myriam's relatives have thus collected dozens of testimonies from former colleagues.

They attest to harassment at work, insults, racism, and above all that Myriam was sidelined in the barracks during the six months preceding her death.

And this, without receiving support from his hierarchy.

Me Vincent Brengarth, one of the family's lawyers, even says that her superiors attacked her.

“My sister, during her lifetime, had denounced certain bad apples in her barracks. She had no support, she was dismissed, threatened. In addition, one of the first people denounced by my sister was also one of the the first ones in front of his still warm body. That's a problem, "adds Hassina Sakhri.

Another element that questions the family of Myriam Sakhri: a pair of male glasses, found at the gendarme and whose owner has not been identified.

But also a word: "Thank you to G. the asshole!", Designating his superior, the colonel who commanded the Rhône group at the time.

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Procedure discontinued

After the facts, an investigation for harassment and discrimination was indeed opened but the procedure was dismissed on March 9, 2012. At that time, it is the thesis of suicide that is retained.

A few months later, the family chose to become a civil party.

A judicial investigation is opened for harassment and murder.

On October 31, 2013, the examining magistrate dismissed the case, confirmed on appeal on July 29, 2014 and then by the Court of Cassation on October 21, 2015. The magistrates dismissed the harassment charges.

"In a context of high alcoholism", Myriam Sakhri would have committed suicide because she had just learned of her next appearance in correctional for facts denounced internally, concluded the chamber of instruction six and a half years ago.

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"We will not let go"

The family of Myriam Sakhri is however convinced of this: the death of the gendarme is directly linked to the climate she endured at work, punctuated according to the victim with insults and racist remarks.

His relatives now hope that a new investigation will be opened, supported in this request by the general prosecutor's office.

"The anger has turned into a desire to lead this fight constructively. It has been more than nine years that we have been in contact with the gendarmes who are harassed", argues Hassina Sakhri.

"Myriam was a whistleblower, but it is a fight for all gendarmes. We are confident and determined, and we will not let go."