Sudanese Refugee Faces Life in Prison for 2022 Angers Triple Murder

A night of violence in Angers left three young lives cut short. Now, justice weighs whether their killer will ever walk free again.

, and Administrator

2026 March 20 . 9:08 PM

1 min read

The image shows a man in a suit and tie sitting at a table with his hand on his chin, wearing... — The image shows a man in a suit and tie sitting at a table with his hand on his chin, wearing spectacles and a ring on his finger. In the background, there is another person sitting on a chair and a glass window, suggesting that the man is in a formal setting. This image is likely related to the news that South Sudan's President Cyril Ramaphosa has been arrested for corruption.

Sudanese Refugee Faces Life in Prison for 2022 Angers Triple Murder

A 36-year-old Sudanese man, Al Khawad Al Zine Sulaymane, stands trial for the fatal stabbing of three young men in Angers in July 2022. The prosecutor has demanded life imprisonment, calling the crimes exceptionally grave. The case follows an earlier abandoned trial due to a judicial error.

The killings took place in the early hours of July 15–16, 2022. Sulaymane had earlier harassed women in a public square before returning armed with a knife. Three victims—aged 16, 18, and 20—were stabbed in vital areas, causing rapid bleeding and death.

Sulaymane arrived in France in 2016 and received refugee status in 2018, which was later revoked. The prosecutor criticised authorities for failing to intervene sooner, noting he could have been arrested without a formal complaint.

The trial has reignited debates on public safety. After the attack, France pushed for stricter alcohol regulations, better enforcement of existing laws, and more funding for prevention programmes in urban areas.

A verdict is expected late Friday afternoon or evening.

The prosecutor insists the maximum penalty is justified given the severity of the crimes. The outcome will determine whether Sulaymane faces life in prison. The case has also prompted calls for tighter controls on public drinking and improved emergency responses.