France: 91-Year-Old Grandmother Murdered and Sexually Assaulted by Pakistani Who Was Not Deported Despite Order to Leave (Video)

Paris, France — The once tranquil streets of the 13th arrondissement in Paris were rocked by a horrifying crime in June 2021. Berthe, a 90-year-old grandmother, was savagely attacked, sexually assaulted, and murdered in her home by a 25-year-old illegal Pakistani migrant who had been issued an OQTF (Obligation to Leave French Territory) years ago but remained illegally. This incident raises serious questions about France’s immigration policies and the dangers posed by individuals whose presence violates legal residency requirements.

The Crime

In the early hours of June 10, 2021, Berthe’s home care aide made a grim discovery: her lifeless body showed the brutal marks of an assault by Dilawar Riaz, a Pakistani national with a history of violence. Berthe succumbed to her injuries the following day, her final moments marred by unimaginable violence. She was found naked, battered, sexually assaulted, with her eyes still open, lying in a pool of blood. Prior to the murder, Riaz had a consensual sexual encounter with a man in the same building before entering Berthe’s apartment to commit the heinous crime. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Berthe tragically passed away on June 11 from her injuries.

Dilawar Riaz: A Troubled Migrant

Dilawar Riaz’s journey to France was marked by chaos and lawlessness. He originated from a rural area in Punjab, Pakistan, an Islamic country where non-Muslims are treated as second-class citizens. In 2016, Riaz and his younger brother fled their homeland. They first landed in Greece, working illegally to send money back home, primarily to save for their sister’s dowry. However, their asylum applications were repeatedly rejected. Riaz moved from Greece to Italy and eventually to France in 2019, each time his asylum requests were denied. Despite these rejections, he was never deported. Instead, he remained in Europe, spiraling into heavy drug and alcohol use, smoking up to 10 joints a day, and drinking excessively.

The Night of the Murder

On the night of June 9, 2021, Riaz met a man at Gare de l’Est who offered him a place to stay, along with drugs and sexual relations. The night took a dark turn, culminating in the brutal murder of Berthe. Despite his claims of having no recollection of the events, Riaz was found with Berthe’s wallet the following day, a piece of evidence that tied him to the crime.

Testimony from the Victim’s Grandson

Marius, Berthe’s grandson, provided a harrowing testimony. He described how Riaz, after being thrown out by his acquaintance, somehow entered Berthe’s apartment. There were no signs of forced entry, indicating that Berthe, perhaps out of trust or due to her limited mobility, had let him in. The apartment was left in a state of chaos, with overturned furniture, blood, and broken items from the violence inflicted upon her.

“There is a lot of anger. For her life to end like this is unbearable. This is someone who beat a 91-year-old woman to death and then had the audacity to help himself to a carton of milk from the fridge afterward,” recounts Marius.

Marius emphasized the importance of bringing this case to the public’s attention, highlighting the broader implications of unchecked immigration and the system’s failure to protect its citizens from illegal immigrant threats.

Community and Legal Reactions

This crime has deeply affected the local community in the 13th arrondissement. There have been public demonstrations demanding stricter immigration controls and greater accountability from the authorities. Local officials and community organizations have issued statements expressing their condolences to Berthe’s family and calling for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies.

Sentencing and Aftermath

On June 7, 2024, Dilawar Riaz was sentenced by the Paris Assize Court to 22 years of criminal imprisonment, two-thirds of which was a security measure and a permanent ban from French territory upon his release. This verdict was reached after a lengthy trial during which Riaz maintained his denial of the crime.

Marius expressed his pain and frustration: “We have a life sentence of grief. I don’t want my grandmother to be forgotten. We talk too little about the victims,” he said. Marius fondly remembered his grandmother as a loving woman who worked hard all her life, someone who enjoyed simple pleasures and gave generously despite her modest pension. Berthe had lived in her apartment for over 40 years, a place where she felt safe and maintained her independence with the help of home care services after a hip fracture during the COVID-19 period.

Ongoing Pain and Anger

Marius and his family are left with unanswered questions and lingering pain. They criticize the French government for its failure to deport Riaz despite his criminal record and irregular status. “How could someone identified as dangerous, who had no right to be in France, be allowed to roam freely?” Marius questioned. The family’s anguish was compounded when they were allowed to clean out Berthe’s apartment two years after the crime. They found dried blood and chalk marks still present, a stark reminder of the brutal attack they had to clean up themselves.

Conclusion

This case serves as another warning about the perils of open borders and lenient immigration policies, highlighting the need for robust measures to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. Her grandson hopes Berthe’s memory, a beloved grandmother and community member, will not be forgotten, and her tragic death ignites a serious reevaluation of France’s approach to immigration and national security.