Homophobic Ambushes Result in Eight-Year Prison Sentence
Ilies B. Receives Eight-Year Sentence for Orchestrating Robberies Targeting Gay Men
28-year-old Ilies B. has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Essonne Court of Appeal after luring four gay men to an apartment building in December 2022 and violently robbing them in the basement. The victims were misled through online dating apps before being ambushed in a premeditated series of attacks rooted in homophobia. Ilies previously denied any discriminatory motive, but during this second trial, he finally acknowledged that his actions were homophobic in nature. The court reduced his original sentence by five years, taking into account his eventual admission. Ilies remained silent as the verdict was read, with only his mother’s emotional testimony offering a brief moment of humanity in the courtroom.
Deliberate Tactics Reflect a Broader Pattern of Anti-LGBTQ+ Violence
The defendant’s methodical planning mirrors a troubling rise in targeted crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Ilies found his victims through dating platforms, such as Coco (recently court-ordered to shut down) and plansm.com. Once lured to the location, victims were led into the building’s basement, where Ilies brandished weapons—usually an Opinel knife or a meat cleaver. He then robbed them, threatening violence and forcing them to lie under a chair while he fled. In one instance, he heightened the threat by scraping a knife across metal piping, likening the scene to a horror film. These deliberate, aggressive tactics underscored a clear motive: to exploit and endanger individuals based on their sexual orientation.
Initial Denial of Homophobia Gives Way to Admission
During the original trial in September 2024, Ilies admitted to the robberies but denied using weapons and insisted that homophobia played no role. Despite this, the court presented strong evidence to the contrary, including slurs like “Drop dead, faggot” reportedly used during the attacks. He argued that gay men were simply easier to deceive—an already incriminating justification. The court, however, saw through this logic and applied aggravating circumstances such as discrimination based on sexual orientation and the use of weapons. While Ilies sought a lighter sentence through appeal, the second trial focused on securing a deeper acknowledgment of the underlying hate behind the crimes.
Appeal Trial Brings Reluctant Shift in Attitude
As the appeal progressed, Ilies—who had already been in custody for nearly three years—began to show signs of remorse. Encouraged by his sister to be honest, he finally admitted to using homophobic slurs and expressed regret, saying, “I’m sorry… I was just repeating what I heard around me.” Despite this statement, the presiding judge, Michaël Humbert, questioned the sincerity of his remorse. He urged the defendant to confront his “blind spots,” referring to the ignorance and internal biases that allow deep-rooted prejudice to fester unchecked.
Lasting Impact on the Victims
The emotional and psychological aftermath for the victims has been severe and enduring. Maxime, a 36-year-old public employee, said he has given up on romantic relationships since the attack. Dylan, 31, credited his family’s support for helping him through the trauma. Romain, 46, suffered a thumb injury that ended his passion for playing the piano, while Florent, 29, described ongoing guilt and pervasive distrust. All four men recounted the deep personal toll that came from being attacked in such a vulnerable context—seeking human connection and instead facing targeted violence.
A Calculated Scheme Fueled by Prejudice and Stereotypes
In court, Ilies maintained that he was not attracted to men and claimed to have used stock images from the internet for his dating profiles. He admitted to targeting gay men after hearing they were less likely to report crimes. His interactions with over 80 users on plansm.com resulted in thefts of relatively low value—but the strategy embodied dangerous assumptions about the LGBTQ+ community. Authorities argued this bias clearly illustrated discriminatory intent. His failure to cover his identity—a visible face, known location, even the building’s access code—ultimately accelerated the investigation leading to his arrest.
A Case That Highlights Deep-Rooted Issues of Anti-LGBTQ+ Violence
Prosecutors emphasized how the attacks were not just thefts—they were personal assaults rooted in identity. “This was an attack on who these men are,” said civil party attorney Jean-Baptiste Boué-Diacquenod. Although Ilies eventually admitted to his prejudices, the legal team remained skeptical about the authenticity of his remorse. Prosecutor Isabelle Poinso pointed out the alarming frequency with which homophobic attacks are reported and underlined the need for both legal and cultural shifts in how these crimes are addressed and understood. The case was framed within a wider pattern of societal violence targeting marginalized groups.
Court’s Ruling Sends a Strong Message
In handing down the sentence, the court made it clear that these attacks—designed to harm individuals in moments of emotional vulnerability—were especially cruel. “Seeking connection is an act of emotional bravery,” Judge Humbert noted, adding that such trust should never be met with violence. The verdict signals a change in how justice systems treat homophobic violence—not just as criminal acts, but as serious assaults on human dignity. Years after similar cases shocked the world, the courts are finally adapting their legal frameworks to recognize the specific, targeted nature of these crimes.
