Puget-sur-Argens, France — The recent shooting death of Hichem Miraoui has sparked national outrage and highlighted rising concerns over racial violence in France. Miraoui, a 40-year-old hairdresser, was fatally shot in his home during a video call with family members on May 31. The incident has been classified by authorities as possibly racially motivated domestic terrorism, marking a troubling trend in hate-related violence.
According to his cousin, Mouna Miraoui, the eerie calm of their family call shattered when Hichem suddenly exclaimed before the screen went dark. Not long after, family members received the devastating news that he had been killed, shot five times. A police investigation is currently underway, with officials pursuing charges of terrorism against the alleged shooter, who is in custody.
The suspect, identified as Christophe Belgembe, has connections to far-right ideologies and has reportedly expressed anti-Arab sentiments publicly. He has admitted to the shooting but has denied that it was racially motivated. Reports have surfaced that he had previously boasted about wanting to rid society of individuals he deemed undesirable.
Family members indicated that Miraoui had felt increasingly threatened by Belgembe in the weeks preceding his death. Miraoui was preparing to return to Tunisia to visit his ailing mother, but those plans were tragically cut short.
The case has ignited protests across several cities in France, including Marseille and Miraoui’s hometown. Demonstrators have raised slogans against racism and xenophobia, marking a collective demand for justice. “Hichem’s death illustrates a growing trend of hostility directed at minorities,” stated Mourad Battikh, the family’s lawyer. “This is not an isolated incident but part of a broader and escalating atmosphere of hate.”
Statistics from France’s Interior Ministry reveal a worrying rise in racially motivated hate crimes, particularly against Muslims and people of Arab descent. In early 2025 alone, the country witnessed a sharp increase in Islamophobic incidents compared to the previous year, leading activists to call for urgent measures.
Activists and organizations like SOS Racisme have sounded alarm bells regarding the increasing xenophobia within French society. Legal experts have noted that while the opening of a terrorism investigation can expedite legal proceedings, questions still surround why similar cases had not warranted such thorough scrutiny before now.
Statements from political figures have added another layer to the discourse, with local leaders criticized for fostering anti-immigrant sentiments. The nation’s Interior Minister has made controversial claims that amplify fears about immigration. Observers argue that these narratives have emboldened individuals with extremist views.
Inside this turbulent environment, calls for greater awareness and policy changes continue to grow. Mouna Miraoui expressed her hopes for real change, fearing that her headscarf — a symbol of her identity — now represents vulnerability in public spaces.
The return of Hichem Miraoui’s body to Tunisia offered a bittersweet reunion with his family but also served as a painful reminder of the realities faced by many in France. “We demand justice,” Mouna stated. “This must not become normal.” Activists and family members alike are rallying for a societal shift that discourages hate and promotes understanding.