Mort mathématique

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L'abattage a été inscrit dans ces deux petites photos ordinaires, puis programmé mathématiquement, comme les tâches à accomplir dans un bloc texan d'exécution. Ces petits portraits du concerné sont aussi élémentaires que les lignes du programme. On n'inclut pas les cheveux du bonhomme car ceux-ci sont, pour ainsi dire, à côté de la plaque : à côté de la traque du fugitif, du condamné. Il suffit du strict minimum, ni plus ni moins. Anis Amri n'était plus un être humain comme vous et moi. Il était un symbole au milieu d'un processus mathématique.

Endroit où a été abattu Anis Amri, le 23 décembre, à Sesto [Daniele Bennati / AFP]

Un aspect pourtant humain de cette mise à mort programmée m'a rassuré. Les gènes de cet animal pourri ne seront pas transmis à des héritiers. Mais je dois poser tout de même une question évidente. Un assassin de ce type a-t-il réellement du « mal » dans les chromosomes ? La réponse à cette question troublante me transformerait sans doute en mauvais biologiste. C'est la vieille question entre l’inné et l’acquis. Je crois qu'il n'est pas né salaud. C'est son milieu qui lui a donné cet attribut. Mais je patauge forcément dans la semoule chaque fois que je me retrouve devant une telle question. Qu'à cela ne tienne. Le salaud a été neutralisé pour toujours.

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