Nathalie Rousseau, the mother of missing farmer Manon Relandeau, has called on French President Emmanuel Macron to assist in advancing the case with Algerian authorities. []
Manon Relandeau, a 31-year-old farmer, has been missing since March 27. [] The public prosecutor in Nantes has opened an investigation for murder and kidnapping regarding the disappearance. []
Abdelkarim B., Relandeau's 41-year-old husband and the principal suspect, is currently in pre-trial detention in Algeria. [] He left France for Algeria on April 2 with their daughter and was arrested in Algeria on April 27. []
Relandeau had previously told her mother she was experiencing severe difficulties and violence in her relationship with Abdelkarim B. [] She had also contacted Citad'elles, a Nantes-based support center for women victims of violence, and had an appointment scheduled for April 3, which she did not attend. []
Abdelkarim B. was previously convicted in Nantes in 2019 with a suspended sentence for domestic violence against a former partner. []
Family concerns and communication gaps
Rousseau stated she has received no information regarding the investigations conducted by Algerian officials. [] She expressed that her only remaining hope is that Abdelkarim B. speaks, as she believes he holds the truth about what happened. []
Rousseau, describing herself as 'désemparée' (helpless), expressed fear that the suspect might be released and could regain custody of their daughter. []
As of August 6, Rousseau has been receiving regular photos and videos of her granddaughter, Inaya. [] While the paternal grandmother has offered to host Rousseau in Algeria so she can see the child, the two women never discuss the disappearance case during their communications about Inaya. []
Fundraising for the farm
On August 1, the family of Manon Relandeau launched an online fundraising campaign to cover expenses for animal care and loan repayments to preserve her farm. []
Amount collected for the farm via online fundraising as of August 6.
