According to our information, the founder of the Refuge was taken into police custody in Montpellier on Wednesday afternoon. Nicolas Noguier is targeted by several complaints for moral or sexual harassment, touching or sexual assault, abuse of weakness or corruption of a minor. These complaints were filed by former volunteers of the association which takes in young LGBT+ people rejected by their families and by some of these young people themselves.
They also target Frédéric Gal, former general manager of the Refuge and companion of Nicolas Noguier. He too would be heard by the police.
The case began with an overwhelming investigation by Médiapart in December 2020. In February 2021, an audit carried out by an independent firm confirmed serious dysfunctions within the association. The day the conclusions of this audit were made public, Nicolas Noguier announced his resignation after having been president of the Refuge for 18 years. Furthermore, still in February 2021, the Montpellier public prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation for some “serious facts” following reports.
Until then, Nicolas Noguier has always denied the charges brought against him.