Ligue 1: Prison Sentences Requested for Brest Ultras Over Ambush of Lens Supporters
Prosecutors in Brest have sought prison sentences, ranging from four-month suspended terms to six months behind bars, against ten Brest ultras accused of orchestrating an armed ambush targeting Lens fans.
- Ten Stade Brestois ultras aged 21 to 35 appeared before the Brest correctional court for participation in an armed gathering.
- Sentences ranging from four-month suspended terms to six months in prison, alongside stadium bans and fines, were requested by the prosecution.
- The ambush on the RN12 was an alleged retaliatory act following an earlier attack by Lens ultras near a beach.
- Defense lawyers called for acquittals, challenging mobile phone tracking evidence; the verdict is scheduled for January 11.
"It is intolerable that a sport can generate violence for any reason whatsoever," deputy prosecutor Antoine Bouriaud succinctly stated before the Brest criminal court. On Monday, ten Stade Brestois ultras, aged 21 to 35, stood trial for "participation in an armed gathering." The magistrate condemned the actions judged on Monday as "primitive, animalistic behavior," driven by "the idea of playing a return match or taking the law into one's own hands."
Sentences ranging from four months suspended to six months of firm imprisonment, alongside two requests for acquittal, were sought on Monday against the ten Brest ultras. The prosecution's requisitions also included fines of €1,000 to €2,000 and a three-year stadium ban.
Brest Ultras Sought Revenge Following an Attack by Lens Fans
On April 20, 2025, approximately fifty hooded Brest ultras armed with baseball bats descended upon the RN12—a dual carriageway connecting Brest to Rennes—and attempted to intercept vehicles carrying Lens supporters. Projectiles thrown, vehicles struck with iron bars, and smoke bombs triggered panic, forcing several cars to make U-turns and drive the wrong way against oncoming traffic. One individual sustained an eye injury from shattered glass inside a Lens minibus, while another vehicle had its door ripped off.
This incident followed an attack carried out earlier that same day by Lens ultras targeting Brest fans who were having lunch near a local beach. Around twenty supporters were detained in connection with that confrontation. Several were cleared of wrongdoing, while others faced alternative prosecution measures (composition pénale) or entered guilty plea procedures.
The Court Will Deliver Its Ruling in January 2027
Named Kévin, Killian, Philippe, Kenny, or Dewi, the defendants work as accountants, temp workers, mechanics, or drivers. Most have no prior criminal records and denied participating in the violence, claiming they were mere onlookers. "I only followed the others to tell them to stop," Jonathan insisted on the witness stand.
"I went there to try to de-escalate the situation," Kévin ventured to say, an ex-military serviceman already subject to a stadium ban. As for Kenny, who had been injured hours earlier during the assault by Lens fans, he maintained he held no desire for revenge. "I still possess a mature mindset," he claimed. These denials visibly tested the court president's patience. "To summarize, everyone was there, but no one did anything," the presiding judge ironically noted. "Everyone just went along to watch; that is quite peculiar."
Between 40 and 80 ultras are believed to have taken part in the events, according to witness testimonies. Defense attorneys pleaded for acquittals, criticizing the lack of substantive evidence presented by the prosecution to prove their clients' direct involvement. The state's case relies heavily on cell tower data tracking the suspects' mobile devices. "Their only offense was being near the scene," summarized Me Elma Kraisnik, representing two of the accused. The court will deliver its verdict on January 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Sport - Grand Littoral
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