On January 8, 2011, Vincent Delory and Antoine de Léocour, taken hostage, were killed on the border between Mali and Niger, during the intervention of the French army.
Eleven years later, the family of Vincent Delory continues to honor the memory of the two victims by organizing a ceremony.
Vincent Delory's sister believes that "their sacrifice is still far from being assumed" by the French authorities.
On January 7, 2011, Vincent Delory and Antoine de Léocour were kidnapped by a group of armed men in Niamey, Niger.
The two friends were killed on the border between Mali and Niger the next day during a military operation supposed to free them.
For eleven years, each year, the family of Vincent Delory, originally from Linselles, near Lille, has organized a commemorative tribute.
Last year, the Covid-19 epidemic forced the family to cancel the 10-year anniversary ceremony.
“This year, the prefecture has agreed to participate in a public commemoration which will take place on Saturday at Linselles cemetery,” announces his sister, Annabelle.
Gathering at Linselles cemetery
A gathering is scheduled at 10 a.m. with the planting of a remembrance tree.
“Despite the passing of time, we continue to hope for the recognition of his sacrifice, and to fight against the oblivion that wins,” assures his sister, Annabelle.
Vincent Delory had joined his childhood friend, Antoine de Léocour, in Niger to attend his wedding.
The latter was stationed on a humanitarian mission in the Central African Republic, and had taken a month off to prepare for the event.
According to the autopsy, Antoine de Léocour was executed at close range, while the body of Vincent Delory presented traces of burns and bullet holes, without the causes of his death having never been exactly determined.
"Their sacrifice is still far from being assumed"
“Several personalities, current or in post in 2011, were invited to the ceremony on Saturday, assures Annabelle Delory.
For now, we have little positive feedback, a sign that unfortunately their sacrifice is still far from being met.
"
For eleven years, a judicial investigation has been open to shed light on the conditions of the intervention of the French army.
The family had become a civil party but had to give up because of lack of money to pay the lawyer.
"We are monitoring the case thanks to the association of victims of terrorism," says the sister.
We are not looking for a culprit.
We are not asking for money.
We would simply like that morally, the State shows a little decency, because it is the choice of the military operation which caused their death.
"
World
What happened in Niger, where French aid workers were killed?
Lille
In Invalides, the families of hostages killed in Mali remember the good memories of the State
Terrorism
Commemoration
Mali
Hostages in niger
Lille
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