Sohane Benziane

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World press has a record of taking a keen interest in the tragedy of young Muslim women in France

Sohane Benziane (1984–October 4, 2002) was a French Muslim girl who was murdered at the age of 17.

On October 4, 2002 in Vitry-sur-Seine, in a predominantly Muslim satellite town of Paris, 17 year old Sohane Benziane, the daughter of Kabyle immigrants, was burned alive in front of her friends in a cellar by a local caid (gang leader) after he had an argument with her former boyfriend. While a watch was kept outside, the aggressor, nicknamed Nono, who had bought the bottle of gasoline a day before, poured gasoline over Sohane and set her on fire with a lighter.

As Sohanne, engulfed in flames, managed to run out screaming in agony her death was witnessed by a dozen other students that were coming out of class.

The incident captured the attention of the French and International press and sparked outrage throughout France. It led to the founding of the Feminist rights movement Ni Putes Ni Soumises.

A commemorative plate in her memory was later desecrated. On October 4, 2005 a platform was inaugurated in her memory, in presence notably of her sister Kahina Benziane. On April 8, 2006 a French court sentenced Jamal Derrar (22) to 25 years in prison. Tony Rocca (23) got 8 years for complicity.