Fact Check: A third boy, aged 12 at the time of the crime, was found guilty of being complicit in the gang rape but was not sentenced to prison due to the minimum age of criminal liability in France being 13.

Fact Check: "A third boy, aged 12 at the time of the crime, was found guilty of being complicit in the gang rape but was not sentenced to prison due to the minimum age of criminal liability in France being 13."

What We Know

In June 2025, a French court sentenced two teenagers, both aged 13 at the time of the crime, to nine and seven years in prison for the gang rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl. The presiding judge noted the severity of the crime, which included antisemitic remarks and threats made during the assault. A third boy, who was 12 at the time, was found guilty of being complicit in the crime but did not receive a prison sentence due to France's minimum age of criminal liability being 13. Instead, he was ordered to be placed in the foster care system and to undergo professional supervision for five years (Le Monde, Daily Mail).

Analysis

The claim that a third boy was found guilty of complicity in the gang rape but was not sentenced to prison due to the minimum age of criminal liability in France being 13 is supported by multiple credible sources. The court's decision to not impose a prison sentence on the 12-year-old aligns with French law, which stipulates that individuals under the age of 13 cannot be held criminally responsible for their actions (Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post).

The sources reporting on this case, including reputable outlets like Le Monde and Daily Mail, provide consistent details about the court proceedings and the legal implications of the age of the third boy. Furthermore, the context of the crime, which involved severe antisemitic elements and significant public outrage, adds to the reliability of the information presented.

While the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism in the past, the core facts regarding the legal outcomes and the ages of the involved parties are corroborated by other reliable sources, including CBS News and Ynet News. Therefore, despite potential biases, the essential elements of the claim are verifiable.

Conclusion

The claim that a third boy, aged 12 at the time of the crime, was found guilty of being complicit in the gang rape but was not sentenced to prison due to the minimum age of criminal liability in France being 13 is True. The legal framework in France indeed protects minors under this age from criminal prosecution, which directly explains the court's decision in this case.

Fact Check: A third boy, aged 12 at the time of the crime, was found guilty of being complicit in the gang rape but was not sentenced to prison due to the minimum age of criminal liability in France being 13.