Gang-Murder Sentencing: Two Men Receive 30-Year Terms for Killing Rapper's Manager
In a significant ruling, the Bouches-du-Rhône Court of Appeal has sentenced Mohamed Seghier, 46, and Juan-Gino Marti, 42, to thirty years in prison for the gang-murder of Karim Tir, the manager of rapper Jul. This decision, made late Friday night, escalates their previous sentence of twenty-five years imposed in March 2023. The tragic incident occurred on June 12, 2014, when Tir was shot dead while in his vehicle, an act described by the prosecution as part of a violent vendetta between rival criminal factions in Marseille.
During the appeal, both defendants vehemently denied their involvement in the murder. Seghier, identified by authorities as a prominent member of a criminal group from Marignane, claimed, "I am a car thief, I could have carried out a robbery but I am not a killer." The court's decision highlights the complex web of criminal activity and personal vendettas that permeate the region's drug trafficking underworld.
The case underscores the ongoing violence linked to drug-related gang disputes in Marseille, with Attorney General Christophe Raffin characterizing Tir's murder as part of a broader conflict between two criminal teams. The prosecution argued that Seghier's involvement was motivated by a desire for revenge following the murder of his brother in 2010. The court also noted that the shooter, identified through surveillance footage, was killed shortly after the incident, further complicating the investigation.
In a related development, rapper Jul, who was close to the victim, was fined 3,000 euros for failing to appear as a witness during the appeal trial. Jul's absence drew criticism from the victim's family, who believed his testimony was crucial given his relationship with Tir.
