The air in the Loir-et-Cher courtroom in Blois, France, grew heavy on November 4, 2026, as prosecutors presented evidence in the trial of Halima El Bakhti and Ahmed Touloub. The elderly couple stood accused of torturing and committing barbaric acts that led to the death of their 4-year-old daughter, Inass Touloub, in 1987. As the court viewed photos of the child's body, Halima El Bakhti, 72, suddenly collapsed from what appeared to be a severe medical emergency. The courtroom was evacuated, and the trial was suspended until further notice.
This trial marks the latest chapter in one of France's oldest and most disturbing cold cases. Inass Touloub, known to the public as the 'little martyr of A10,' was found dead in 1987 under circumstances that suggested prolonged abuse. For decades, the case remained unsolved, becoming the subject of numerous books and documentaries that explored the dark secrets hidden within the family. Now, nearly four decades later, justice may finally be sought for the young girl whose short life ended in violence.
The prosecution's case focuses on evidence related to the charges against the parents. The photos shown in court were part of the evidence presented that led to the medical emergency in the defendant. The trial had been progressing through the evidence, with the prosecution building its case against the couple.
The trial had been progressing through the evidence, with the prosecution building its case against the couple.
The case has resonated deeply in France, not only because of its brutality but because of the time that has passed since the crime. The 'martyr of A10' has become a symbol of child victims whose cases take years, sometimes decades, to see the light of day in court. The suspended trial leaves many questions unanswered, but the French public continues to follow the case closely, hoping that the passage of time will not prevent justice from being served.
With the trial suspended, the court will need to determine when proceedings can resume. Halima El Bakhti's condition will be assessed, and the trial may need to accommodate her health needs as it moves forward. The case against Ahmed Touloub will continue, but the pause has underscored the challenges this trial presents for all involved.
As the legal process unfolds, the story of Inass Touloub serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities of children and the failures of systems to protect them. The 'martyr of A10' may finally receive the justice she was denied in life, but her legacy will forever be tied to the pain and suffering she endured, a story that continues to shock and disturb those who learn of it.