Joel Guerriau, a French senator, has been arrested under suspicion of drugging a lower house MP, Sandrine Josso, in an alleged assault attempt. Guerriau, 66, was taken into custody on Thursday, facing accusations of administering a substance without Josso’s knowledge, likely to diminish her judgment or self-control, for the purpose of committing rape or sexual assault.
The incident occurred after Josso felt unwell following a drink at Guerriau’s Paris home on Tuesday night. Prosecutors clarified that the two were not involved in an intimate relationship. Investigators found ecstasy in Josso’s system, prompting a police raid on Guerriau’s home and office, where ecstasy was reportedly discovered. The victim and the accused underwent two hours of joint questioning by investigators on Friday.
Sandrine Josso, an MP for the centrist MoDem party, remains in a state of shock, according to her lawyer Julia Minkowski. Josso recounted feeling unwell after consuming a glass of champagne and witnessing the senator grabbing a small plastic bag containing a white substance from a drawer in his kitchen. Minkowski highlighted the victim’s immense physical and intellectual effort to overcome the alleged ambush, emphasizing the sense of betrayal given the friendship with Guerriau spanning around ten years.
French Environment Minister Christophe Bechu stated on Friday that Guerriau would face consequences if the allegations were proven true. Bechu mentioned that the leadership of Guerriau’s party, Horizons, would convene a meeting on Saturday to address the situation, affirming that any doubts about the senator’s actions would warrant his removal.
The case underscores the serious legal implications for Guerriau, both politically and judicially, pending the ongoing investigation.
Post Your Comments