Psychiatric Experts Testify in Trial of Parents of the 'Martyr of the A10'

The trial of the parents of Inass Touloub, a four-year-old girl whose body was discovered along the A10 motorway in 1987, has entered a critical phase as psychiatric and psychological experts provide testimony regarding the mental health of the mother, Halima El Bakhti. The parents, who were identified decades after the discovery of the child, are facing charges of acts of torture and barbarity resulting in death, as well as complicity in those acts.

During the proceedings at the Blois Assize Court, experts presented conflicting perspectives on whether El Bakhti’s discernment was altered at the time of the events. While psychiatrist Daniel Zagury suggested that her discernment had been impaired, other experts, including psychiatrist Dominique Provost and psychologist Valérie Ritzenthaler, concluded that there was no state of mental alienation. Instead, they described a complex psychological scenario where the mother struggled to bond with her daughter.

The experts highlighted that Inass had been separated from her mother shortly after birth in Morocco and later brought to France, a transition that caused significant distress for the child. According to the testimony, the mother perceived the child’s resulting behavioral issues—such as vomiting and refusal to eat—as a form of personal aggression. The experts noted that El Bakhti, who had been a teacher in Morocco, felt a deep sense of displacement and resentment after moving to France, which may have influenced her inability to provide the necessary care.

Psychologist Valérie Ritzenthaler characterized the mother’s relationship with Inass as a failure of psychic investment, suggesting that the child became a symbol of the mother's own perceived failures and past trauma. The experts emphasized that the mother was trapped in a cycle of violence and was unable to step back or seek help, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome. They also pointed out that the other children in the family grew up in a environment of silence and secrecy regarding Inass.

The trial also featured testimony from a personality investigator who interviewed the father, Ahmed Touloub. The investigator reported that Touloub described himself as submissive and cowardly within his marriage, alleging that he had been a victim of violence at the hands of his wife. Touloub stated that the death of his daughter marked the beginning of a lifelong period of suffering, and he expressed deep regret over the circumstances of his family life.

Throughout the hearings, the accused parents have frequently blamed one another for the events that transpired. El Bakhti claimed she was dominated and forced to stay in the marriage, while Touloub maintained that his wife was responsible for the household dynamics. The court continues to weigh these testimonies and the expert psychological evaluations to determine the extent of the parents' criminal responsibility for the death of their daughter.