Afghan Migrant Arrested in France for Alleged Sexual Assault of Livestock
A 19-year-old Afghan migrant was arrested near Marseille after farmers used cameras to catch suspected animal rapist who injured sheep and goats.
French police arrested a 19-year-old Afghan migrant last week after farmers in the Bouches-du-Rhône region near Marseille caught him on camera allegedly sexually assaulting their livestock. The anti-crime brigade took the unnamed suspect into custody following months of reported attacks on sheep and goats.
Shepherds first reported the abuse to authorities in early 2026, with attacks surging in February and March. Farmers discovered their animals with legs bound and female livestock showing bloody genital injuries from the assaults, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.
One February attack on a lamb left the animal in critical condition, Ouest-France reported. The systematic nature of the assaults prompted local farmers to install motion-activated cameras throughout the region to identify the perpetrator.
The surveillance strategy worked. The cameras captured high-quality images that allowed police to make the arrest. The Afghan migrant appeared in court this week and faces up to three years in prison if convicted of animal cruelty under French law.
The case highlights ongoing tensions in France over immigration policy and integration of asylum seekers. The Bouches-du-Rhône region, which includes the port city of Marseille, has seen significant migrant arrivals in recent years, straining local resources and raising security concerns among residents.
French authorities have not released details about the suspect's immigration status or how long he had been in the country. The investigation continues as prosecutors prepare their case for trial.