39 years after the murder of the girl Inas: The trial of the parents of 'the holy martyr of Highway A10' opens

39 years after the murder of 4-year-old Inas Touloub, the trial of her parents has opened in France. Mother Halima al-Bahti is charged with torture and acts of barbarity leading to death, and father Ahmed Touloub with aiding the offense. The trial is expected to last until November 18.

39 years after the murder of 4-year-old Inas Touloub, the trial of her parents, Halima al-Bahti (72) and Ahmed Touloub (74), opened today (Monday) in a French court. The dismembered body of the girl was found in August 1987 in a ditch along Highway A10, bearing signs of severe abuse, including iron burns and human bites. For more than 30 years, her identity remained unsolved, and her photo was distributed to 65,000 schools and 30,000 town halls. In 2018, a DNA sample taken from her brother in connection with another violent incident led to her identification and the arrest of the parents. The mother is charged with torture and acts of barbarity leading to death, and the father with aiding the offense. The trial is expected to last until November 18, and if convicted, they could face life imprisonment. A lawyer representing a child protection organization said the trial is 'a first step toward restoring some dignity to this little girl who lost her identity.'