Grenoble Union Leader Shot Dead: Suspect Arrested in Portugal After European Manhunt
November 21, 2024Lilian Dejean, a respected 49-year-old municipal worker and union leader in Grenoble, was tragically shot dead on September 8, 2024, while attempting to assist after a road accident.
On November 21, 2024, Diallo was arrested in Portugal, approximately 70 kilometers north of Porto, thanks to coordinated efforts between French police and European judicial authorities.
Following Dejean's death, a public march in his honor took place in Grenoble, reflecting the community's outrage and support for his family.
In response to the tragedy, a crowdfunding campaign initiated by the CGT union raised nearly €30,000 to support Dejean's wife and two children.
This incident has underscored a troubling rise in gang-related violence in Grenoble, with authorities reporting a surge in gunfire linked to drug trafficking throughout 2024.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, focusing on potential accomplices and the broader context of rising violence in the region.
Since the murder, around 40 investigators have collaborated with Portuguese authorities to locate Diallo, who had fled the Grenoble area.
A European arrest warrant was issued for Diallo shortly after the murder, leading to an extensive manhunt.
The incident occurred when a driver in an Audi RS3, who was intoxicated, crashed into another vehicle and then shot Dejean twice after he exited his car to help.
Diallo, the suspect identified as Abdoul D., was quickly linked to the crime when his ID was found in the abandoned luxury rental car involved in the incident.
Me Romain Ruiz, the lawyer for Dejean's family, expressed hope for justice following the suspect's arrest, viewing it as a pivotal moment in their quest for closure.
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