Grave Robber Sentenced: 150 Desecrated Tombs in Alsace

Alsace Grave Robber Sentenced to 3.5 Years Mulhouse, France – In a case that shocked the Alsace region, Abderrezak M., a 20-year-old man, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for the desecration of nearly 150 graves. The man systematically plundered graves in the south of Alsace between April and November 2024, stealing bronze and copper ornaments to sell to a local scrap metal dealer. "He was caught red-handed," stated a police source, referring to Abderrezak M.'s arrest in November 2024 with a car trunk full of stolen crosses, plaques, and funerary statues. The total value of the stolen items is estimated to exceed €30,000. The investigation revealed approximately 150 victims, 130 of whom joined the civil party. The court also banned Abderrezak M. from the Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, and Belfort territories, and from any contact with the scrap metal dealer, who was separately convicted of handling stolen goods. The total damages are estimated between €200,000 and €300,000, a stark reminder of the emotional and financial toll of such crimes. The case serves as a cautionary tale and highlights the importance of community vigilance in protecting sacred sites.