PARIS – A scandal is rocking France’s parliamentary corridors as Senator Joel Guerriau, a prominent centrist from western France, faces allegations of drugging a lower house MP, Sandrine Josso, with the intent of assaulting her. This shocking case has raised concerns about the safety and integrity of the country’s political institutions.
Guerriau’s arrest on Thursday sent shockwaves through the political landscape after the reported attempted assault against MP Sandrine Josso, who fell ill after consuming a drink at the 66-year-old senator’s residence in Paris. The arrest is based on suspicions of administering a substance to diminish judgment or self-control for the purpose of committing rape or sexual assault.
While prosecutors revealed that Josso and Guerriau were not in an intimate relationship, the case took a disturbing turn as tests indicated the presence of ecstasy in her system, prompting the MP to file a criminal complaint. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau disclosed that preliminary information points to the substance being ecstasy.
Guerriau, held under the caught-in-the-act rules allowing authorities to bypass parliamentary immunity, faces serious charges that have led to searches of his office and residence. Authorities confirmed the discovery of ecstasy at his home.
This unprecedented scandal underscores the vulnerability of parliamentary spaces and raises questions about the conduct of elected officials. The shockwaves from this case will likely reverberate through the political landscape as investigations continue.
By AFP
