Damien Abad announces “the opening of a judicial investigation” targeting him

A judicial investigation has been opened against Damien Abad, the subject of charges of rape and attempted rape which he “strongly dispute”, announced the former minister in a press release on Friday, June 30. The deputy for Ain specifies that he has “was informed by the prosecution of an opening of a judicial investigation”. “Following this, Damien Abad wishes to be heard quickly by the investigating magistrate in order to defend himself against despicable accusations, which he strongly contests”underlines the press release.

In his press release, Damien Abad “recalls that a first in-depth investigation was the subject of a particularly reasoned closing without further action. Moreover, the confrontation requested by the investigators following the hearing of Damien Abad and with the agreement of the latter , never happened”. The former minister was heard on June 7 in police custody, from which he emerged free the same evening.

Ephemeral Minister of Elisabeth Borne

Justice had requested two weeks earlier the lifting of his parliamentary immunity as part of the preliminary investigation in Paris. Damien Abad said it himself “favorable” and the immunity had been lifted unanimously by the Bureau of the National Assembly. With the opening of a judicial investigation, it is an examining magistrate who is in charge of the case.

The former head of LR deputies was appointed in May 2022 Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities, taken from President Emmanuel Macron on the right. The day after his appointment, Mediapart relayed accusations of rape against him, dating from 2010 and 2011. The complaints were closed in 2012 then 2017. But at the end of June 2022, a complaint was once again filed, leading to the opening of the preliminary investigation. Damien Abad finally left the government in early July 2022. IHe has since kept a low profile at the Palais Bourbon.