Alès – 18 July 2026: A mailbox, two cartridges and writing on a house wall: in Alès, in the Gard department, death threats against Mayor Christophe Rivenq are keeping investigators busy. The incidents came to light on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at the municipal politician’s home. His wife reportedly discovered the envelope that evening. According to consistent reports, it contained two nine-millimetre cartridges.
Insulting and threatening messages were also found on the house wall. They bore a signature referring to the so-called DZ Mafia and a “New Generation”. For now, this is merely a claim by the unknown authors. According to judicial authorities, there is currently no confirmed evidence that members of this criminal group are behind the threats.
The Alès public prosecutor’s office opened proceedings for death threats and intimidation against an elected representative. The Alès police station and the Gard unit specialising in organised crime were tasked with the initial investigation. According to media reports, the specialised interregional judicial service in Marseille is also involved in handling the case.
For Rivenq, the attack is more than a personal threat. As mayor, he represents the municipal response to drug trafficking, which has long affected parts of the city. Alès is located around 40 kilometres northwest of Nîmes. The city administration, police and public prosecutor’s office had recently stepped up their cooperation against open drug-selling sites and the associated networks.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez contacted the mayor after the threats became known. According to French media reports, the police presence in Alès was reinforced at short notice, with a CRS unit expected to provide support over the weekend. Rivenq reportedly said that he intended to continue his work. At the same time, investigators are focusing on protecting his relatives and securing any possible evidence.
The case shows how directly pressure from organised drug trafficking can affect local elected officials. Threats against elected representatives do not target just one person, but also a municipality’s ability to act. This is precisely why it is now important to establish the origin of the letter, the cartridges and the graffiti through sound forensic work – without prematurely treating the attribution to a group as proven.
Whether there are witnesses, usable traces on the envelope or ammunition, or further indications of those responsible, was not publicly disclosed on Saturday. What is certain is that the threat is the subject of ongoing criminal proceedings. Until their outcome, the presumption of innocence applies to all potential suspects.
Sources
- TF1 Info with AFP
- Le Monde