Paris court sentences four for killing Chad president Déby's son

A French court has sentenced four men to between five and 13 years in prison for the 2007 murder of the son of Chad’s President Idriss Déby.

AFP/THOMAS COEX

The four were found guilty of robbery leading to death without intention to kill.

A fifth defendant was found not guilty.

On 27 July 2007, 27-year-old Brahim Déby was found dead in the car park of the block of flats where he lived in a suburb north-west of Paris.

He had been attacked with a taser gun and sprayed with a fire extinguisher by four men posing as police officers.

Prosecutors had hoped for a much harsher sentence.

The plaintiff's lawyer, Jean Bernard Padaré, said he could not understand why the sentencing had been so lenient, adding that it would be a severe blow to the French justice system.

Defence lawyers say they are pleased with the outcome and satisfied with the verdict for not succumbing to political pressure.

According to police, Déby’s attackers seized 50,000 euros from his pocket and searched his flat.

During the trial, a number of incidents were brought to light concerning Déby's lavish lifestyle, which involved renting luxury cars and extravagent nights out.

Déby once served as an advisor in his father's government but was sacked after a conviction for drugs and weapons possession in France.