A man previously convicted of rape has been arrested and formally charged after kidnapping and raping a 19 year old student outside her university residence in Aix-En-Provence.
What Happened During The Attack
The attack took place overnight between Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026. The student stepped outside her residence at the Cité Universitaire des Gazelles around 1am to escape the heat in her room. A man in a car approached her, forced her inside under threat of a weapon, then drove her several kilometers away before assaulting her, based on details confirmed by the Aix-en-Provence prosecutor’s office.
How The Victim Helped Police Catch Him
The young woman managed to call emergency services without speaking, allowing operators to recognize the danger from the attacker’s threatening words in the background. Police credited her composure and quick thinking for helping identify the vehicle and make the arrest within hours, according to France Bleu / ICI.
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Who The Suspect Is
The suspect is a 47 year old man living in Gardanne. He was arrested shortly after the attack, around 3:55 am. Police confirmed he had a prior conviction for similar crimes.
His Criminal History
In 2013, the suspect was sentenced to 18 years in prison for kidnapping, unlawful confinement, rape, and sexual assault with a weapon, following a earlier case. He had been in custody since 2011 and was released on June 6, 2026, roughly one month before this new attack, according to franceinfo.
Formal Charges Filed
Following his detention, the suspect was formally charged on Sunday with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and rape and sexual assault involving a weapon, all classified as repeat offenses under French law. He admitted to the facts during his first police interview, based on reporting from France 3 Régions.
Community Reaction
Residents at the Gazelles university residence expressed fear and concern after learning about the attack, according to ICI.
FAQ: Figaro Suspect Arrested in Aix-en-Provence Student Kidnapping and Rape Case
Q: What happened in the Aix-en-Provence kidnapping and rape case?
A: In the early hours of July 11, 2026, a female student was abducted outside her university residence in Aix-en-Provence, France. She was forced into a vehicle at knifepoint, driven to an isolated area, and assaulted before being able to alert authorities.
Q: Who is the suspect in this case?
A: The suspect is a 47-year-old man who was already known to French police and courts. He had been released from prison on June 6, 2026, after serving an 18-year sentence for previous kidnapping and rape convictions dating back to 2013.
Q: How was the suspect caught?
A: The victim managed to give investigators the vehicle’s license plate number. Police launched an immediate search and arrested the suspect within about an hour, in the Les Milles area of Aix-en-Provence.
Q: What charges is the suspect facing?
A: According to the Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor, the suspect has been formally charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, rape and sexual assault involving a weapon, and death threats — all classified as repeat offenses under French law.
Q: Is the suspect currently in custody?
A: Yes. He was placed under formal investigation (mis en examen) following his arrest and has been remanded in custody pending further judicial proceedings.
Q: Where did the attack take place?
A: The abduction occurred outside the Cité Universitaire des Gazelles student residence in Aix-en-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of southern France.
