Toulouse. After a run and long months of detention in Algeria, Redouane Ikil surrendered to justice
Through Gabriel Kenedi
Published on
Redouane Ikil is back in France. In July 2019, this Toulousain (who had been acquitted at first instance) had been sentenced on appeal to 18 years’ imprisonment in the case of two robberies of two postal agencies in Toulousecommitted in 2012 and 2013.
Convicted of kidnapping and extortion, the verdict had been pronounced in the absence of the accused. And for good reason… Redouane Ikil, who appeared free, had indeed fled during his trial. He had been found at Oran (Algeria), Sunday February 9, 2020. He was pendant incarcerated in Algeria about 18 months, until June 2021.
He went to the Agen police station
According to information collected by Toulouse Newsconfirming those of South WestRedouane Ikil appeared on Thursday February 10, 2022 at the Agen police station.
“He took advantage of a temporary exit permit to return to France. He wants his sentence in France, and to get closer to his children who still live in Toulouse, ”says a member of the family of Redouane Ikil to Toulouse News. A family that today calls itself both “reassured that he will be able to serve his sentence in France” but “sad that his cassation appeal was rejected (in December 2020, editor’s note). He therefore no longer has any means of contesting his sentence”.
According to our information, Redouane Ikil – who has always disputed the accusations against himmust be at least initially taken into custody in a prison in Lot-et-Garonne.
Acquitted at first instance, convicted on appeal
As a reminder, this former director of the Bellefontaine postal agency was suspected of being the commander of two postal agency robberies. In 2012, two hooded robbers broke into the Bellefontaine postal agency, stealing 360,000 euros, while threatening a postwoman who had been kidnapped in front of her home, beaten and sprayed with flammable liquid.
In 2013, three robbers used the same modus operandi and stole around 150,000 euros. Redouane Ikil has always denied having been involved in these two robberies. At first instance, in 2017, he was acquitted by the Assize Court of Haute-Garonne.
An unpremeditated leak according to his relatives
On appeal, the Tarn Assize Court sentenced Redouane Ikil to 18 years in prison. On the morning of the verdict, the accused drank coffee with one of his counsel, but did not show up for the hearing. A few weeks later, in a translated letter to local media, his sister explained that Redouane Ikil had “nothing premeditated”:
“He was afraid of losing his life hoping for impartiality, fairness, honour. He made a decision that is not easy to make and no, he did not confess anything by this gesture. I do not know where he is. I don’t know if he’s okay,” she wrote.
An arrest warrant had been issued against Redouane Ikil. His seven-month run therefore ended in Algeria, where he was imprisoned for 18 months before finally being able to go to France, where he intends to serve the rest of his sentence.
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