DZ Mafia Members Announce Hunger Strike on Snapchat, Citing Prison Conditions
Nice, France – Members of the alleged “DZ Mafia,” including convicted torturer Mareko Scarla, have announced a hunger strike via Snapchat, protesting conditions in French prisons, notably in newly designated high-security facilities intended too isolate drug traffickers. The announcement was relayed by their lawyer, sarah Vogelhut, in reports from France 3 Provence Alpes.
The protest comes as Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin implements a plan, unveiled March 6, 2025, to create two high-security prisons in Vendin-le-Vieil and condé-sur-Sarthe, modeled after the Italian anti-mafia system.The initiative aims to isolate inmates deemed capable of directing criminal activity from their cells.
Vogelhut claims the restrictions are excessive, hindering basic rights. “Some telephone communications with one of my customers are impractical for him, which could constitute a ‘Affairs in defense law’,” she stated. She further criticized the selection process for the high-security prisons, alleging it was arbitrary. “Darmanin took a paper, a pencil and made his little list,” she said.
Scarla, sentenced in september 2023 to 25 years for sequestration accompanied by acts of torture and barbarism within an organized gang, is among those facing stricter conditions as his appeal is scheduled to be heard this month in Nice. Vogelhut emphasized his presumption of innocence, stating, “The prison must remain a deprivation of freedom and not of dignity. In the long term, to see their family through a window, there is a moment when they will fart a lead.”
Detainees released a statement, shared through Vogelhut, lamenting the impact on their families. “They are deprived of the affection of their loved ones, which they cannot touch and can sometimes hardly hear.”
Lawyer Marie Violleau, speaking to France Info, questioned the efficacy of ultra-secure prisons, arguing, “It has been 2,000 years that we know that the ultra-secure prison is useless.” She highlighted the core grievance of the inmates: “What they claim and what they deplore is just not being able to talk to their children when they wish. This is a problem. No matter what they have committed…”
The Ministry of the Interior anticipates 600 to 700 detainees will be subject to the enhanced security measures. The use of Snapchat to announce the hunger strike represents a novel tactic by the alleged “DZ mafia” to publicize their concerns.
