13 years after the 2009 crash, the Yemenia Airways trial opens in Paris

Stephane Burgatt and AFP 07:46, May 09, 2022

The trial for manslaughter and involuntary injury of the company Yemenia opens Monday in Paris, almost 13 years after the crash of a plane off the Comoros which killed, in 2009, 152 people and left a single survivor aged 12. years.

Dozens of relatives of the victims are expected at 1:30 p.m. in front of the criminal court in the capital and also in Marseille, where part of the trial is broadcast for those, many, who live in the region.

“It will always haunt me until the end of my life”

On the living room wall, a photo to never forget the dazzling smile of Youssouf, a 17-year-old teenager.

"Everything was fine, he was going on vacation for a month. It will always haunt me until the end of my life", says Marie Omar at the microphone of Europe 1. On June 30, 2009, she lost her little brother but also his mother, Saliha, both were on the edge of the Yemenia flight.

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"I remember because it was me who brought them back to the airport. My brother was happy to go on vacation. We were talking about the aftermath, my brother had to pass his license, he would have been 18 in December of the same year", continues Marie Omar

"They said it was the crash of the poor"

After throwing herself headlong into helping the other families of the victims within an association, this trial is for her the moment of truth that she no longer expected.

“Do you realize, it was in 2009. We are in 2022. There were 152 passengers on this plane. They cannot have died for

nothing

be condemned, a real sanction. They must recognize their shortcomings".

"They did not recognize that something happened. They did not even offer us condolences. There was no crisis unit, there was contempt. For them, it was necessary that we forget. They said it was the crash of the poor, "book Marie Omar.

Marie Omar has planned to go to Paris to follow this trial which is scheduled until June 2.