An investigation opened against the philosopher Alexandre Jollien, accused of sexual assault and exhibition

The Swiss philosopher and writer Alexandre Jollien is the subject of an investigation in Paris after a complaint for sexual assault and exhibition filed in June 2021 by a young man, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Friday June 10. The investigations were entrusted to the police station of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, the floor.

The 46-year-old philosopher, severely handicapped by cerebral palsy and who needs to be “assistance” permanently in his daily and professional life, “completely dispute” these charges, said his lawyer Philippe Guillemard. The lawyer has “the impression that the timing is not spontaneous: there is a will to harm”.“I have never imposed anything on anyone sexually”defended his client in a written exchange with The Parisian.

In the columns of the newspaper, a former trainee from the publishing house Les Arènes accuses him of sexual assault in a Paris hotel room, during work sessions, during the summer of 2015. According to his account, Alexandre Jollien would also have asked him to give him a hand massage, which he would have accepted, and repeatedly offered to undress, which he would have refused.

In the exchange quoted by The Parisian, the writer admitted to having once found himself naked in front of the trainee, in the presence of other collaborators during a work session. The then 20-year-old said he spoke about it within the publishing house but did not file a complaint at the time. “I do not blame Alexandre Jollien for his desire. (…) My point is fair to say that I was harassed”said the young man daily.