Two fires have broken out in recent days in the town of Sernhac, in the Gard. After investigation, the gendarmes arrested a man “with suspicious behavior”, according to Éric Maurel, the public prosecutor of Nîmes. Placed in police custody, the man from Gard, confessed to being the author of these two fires. The prosecution will open this Saturday afternoon a judicial investigation for the facts provided for and punishable by article 322-6 of the penal code: destruction, degradation or deterioration by the effect of an explosive substance, a fire or any other means likely to create a danger for people of woods, forests, moors, maquis, plantations or reforestation of others occurring under conditions likely to expose people to bodily harm or to create irreversible damage to the environment.
The penalties are fifteen years’ imprisonment and a fine of 150,000 euros. Acts of a criminal nature therefore fall within the jurisdiction of the Assize Court.
The prosecution will request the placement in pre-trial detention of this person given the serious disturbance to public order and the risk of reiteration, further indicates Eric Maurel.