Sofia Belkacem

Lt. Sofia Belkacem is a character in the first part of Lupin. She is portrayed by Shirine Boutella.

Part 1
Belkacem is one of the police officers assigned to the case of the Pellegrinis’ necklace. She is involved when Juliette Pellegrini calls for assistance after receiving Assane’s anonymous note, posing as a jogger. Later, Juliette mocks Belkacem for taking notes while Laugier is attempting to question her.

Although Belkacem treats Youssef Guedira with respect, she still thinks that his theory about the connection between the crimes they are investigating and the Arsène Lupin stories is frivolous nonsense. She is one of the police officers who participates in the search for Dumont after his kidnapping; although initially reluctant to believe Guedira’s theory that he is still in City Hall, she and Laugier choose to follow his hunch and find that he is right.

Along with Laugier and Guedira, Belkacem presents Dumont with the idea that his kidnapper and the Louvre thief are the same person, pointing out that he had overseen the original case of the necklace theft in 1995. Dumont allows them to begin gathering evidence, but after several facial reconstructions are made, he claims that none of them look like his kidnapper and tells them that the two cases are unconnected. Belkacem, like Guedira, suspects that Dumont is lying, but unlike him is not willing to disobey orders.

On December 11, Guedira tells Belkacem that he will not be coming into the office, claiming to be sick. Belkacem remarks to Laugier that Guedira always looks sick. She and Laugier want to investigate Leonard after he is found on the Le Havre train with one of Marie-Antoinette’s diamonds, but before they get a chance the Le Havre police release him after discovering convincing evidence that he has been framed.

Personality and relationships
Belkacem is blunt but fair. She has good working relationships with both Laugier and Guedira, and occasionally mediates between them. Belkacem and Guedira appear to be close; she is the one whom he texts to mention that he is sick on the day of the Arsène Lupin festival in Étretat. Out of concern for his job security, Belkacem often attempts to stop Guedira from burying himself in what she sees as outlandish and silly.

Eventually, though, she is more inclined than Laugier to believe that there is some truth to Guedira’s theories. For instance, she agrees that Dumont lied about not recognizing Assane’s picture.

Appearances

 * Part One


 * Chapter 1
 * Chapter 2
 * Chapter 3
 * Chapter 5

Quotes
"What’s it going to be next? D’Artagnan or the three little pigs?"

- Belkacem comments on Guedira's theories