Elias Belhadj’s alleged killer arrested in Belgium: “It’s my best Christmas present”, says his father
The alleged killer of Elias Belhadj, 21, who died of two point-blank shots on June 22, 2020, rue de Grau in the city of Saint-Martin, was arrested in Belgium in mid-December. Extradited and referred to the Montpellier prosecutor’s office, he was imprisoned. Joined by Midi Libre, the parents of the victim agreed to testify.
After two and a half years on the run, the alleged killer of Elias Belhadj, 21, shot twice in the heart at the Cité Saint-Martin in Montpellier, on June 22, 2020, was arrested in mid-December in Belgium and then extradited . Information confirmed by the public prosecutor, requested by us.
Regarding this murder, “a judicial investigation was opened on June 24, 2020”, specifies Fabrice Bélargent. “The author having probably left France to go to the Netherlands, a European arrest warrant had been issued”.
He admitted shooting and then leaving the scene for fear of reprisals
This made it possible to apprehend him, finally “in Belgium, before being handed over to the French judicial authorities”. And to conclude: “Presented to the investigating judge on December 19, 2022, he admitted to having fired and then having left the scene for fear of reprisals. Indicted, he was placed in pre-trial detention”.
A real reduction for Abdelkader Belhadj, Elias’s father, who now waits with some impatience for the trial before the Assize Court to be scheduled. “When my daughter, Farah, who has been completely devastated by her brother’s death, told me the news on December 26, I cried.”
I blame my son’s killer but also his father
“His arrest was the greatest Christmas present of my life. And if, of course, I blame my son’s killer, because that day he tore out my heart and removed the eyes, I also resent his father very much
.”
“What education did he give him? Especially since that night, he was present at the scene of the tragedy with his three children. He could not intervene? Separate them during the brawl? Reason with them? No , he also hit and they went after Elias”, until constituting the irreparable.
“He was still warm when I closed his eyes”
This night of June 22, 2020 remains forever engraved in the memory of Abdelkader Belhadj, the father of Elias, who quickly intervened at the scene of the tragedy, rue de Grau, in the city of Saint-Martin.
“It was around 3 a.m. when some of my son’s friends knocked on my door saying Elias had been shot in the stomach. I rushed to the scene and when I seen, he was lying on the ground, his eyes glassy, with a pipe in his mouth.”
“The firefighters couldn’t keep him alive. My son was still warm when I closed his eyes. I kissed him then I screamed my hate and all my pain. They say that over time , the wounds are closing. No. Afterwards, it’s survival. We try to manage this lack.”
“Why was he in the Cité Saint-Martin that night? I have no explanation. I know that in the afternoon he was in Palavas with his fiancée and that an altercation broke out with individual.”
“One thing is certain, on the CCTV images, we see a young armed man, his two brothers and their father beating Elias. Certainly, my son was boxing but with his 50 kg, one against four, at At one point he tried to escape, he then got between two vehicles to catch his breath, which is where the young gunman approached Elias and shot him, point-blank range. He took my son away from me.”
I am now awaiting an exemplary sentence
And to add: “I was very complicit with Elias. I still hear his “Dad I love you”. He told me so much that he left me for the rest of my life. But these people there, even though I don’t know them, one day, like that, they got into my head and somehow they have to get out. haunts. They gave themselves the right to take my son away from me. Part of me, I buried it with Elias.”
“Yes, I am suffering. But I trust justice. Moreover, several times, detained friends have called me from prison to say to me: “The father of Elias’ killer is there, what is he? What do we do?” Each time, I told them: “Nothing, I want to see him in court”. And now that his son has also been arrested, thanks to the PJ whom I thank from the bottom of my heart, I am now waiting for an exemplary sentence to definitively rule out the idea of taking justice into my own hands.”
Outstanding work by investigators
Also contacted by Midi Libre, no relief on the other hand for Nadia, the mother of Elias, who remains devastated by the disappearance of her son. “First of all, I would like to thank the work of the police. It took a long time, but patience paid off. They did a remarkable job that we must salute.
However, for me, this arrest does not constitute a relaxation strictly speaking because since the death of my son, nothing relieves me. From the moment they killed Elias, I died with him. It’s simply a new stage of franchising.
I’m still waiting for the front door to open and say, “Mom, I’m here”
And to continue: “I do not hide from you that in two and a half years, I had thoughts of revenge. Everything went through my head. Out of respect for my son, I did nothing. has chosen is safe, I do not wish to experience this on anyone.
As far as I’m concerned, I can’t go up the slope. It is a perpetual lack. I’m still waiting for the front door to open and for him to say, “Mom, I’m here.” I’m holding on for him because he wouldn’t want me to mourn, but my heart is screaming. I would never have wanted to come to this, however when you are a coward, I remember that they threw themselves at four on him, at one point, you have to pay.
Even having justice, it does not make me Elias
Note that on June 22, 2020, in the early morning, the shooter’s father was arrested. Charged with murder, he was imprisoned. After a year of prevention, this 40-year-old was released and placed under judicial supervision pending his trial.