Death of former investigating judge Renaud Van Ruymbeke, who investigated the Elf, Kerviel and Cahuzac cases

An emblematic figure in the fight against corruption, he was also known for his role in the Urba, Clearstream, Balkany affairs, and in the investigation into the Taiwan frigates. He died at the age of 71.

Former investigating judge Renaud Van Ruymbeke, known for having notably investigated the Elf, Kerviel and Cahuzac cases, died at the age of 71, announced the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, Friday 10 may. “France loses a great magistrate and justice an immense servant”writes the Minister of Justice on. Recognized for his integrity and tenacity, he had become an emblematic figure in the fight against corruption, who had also investigated the Urba, Clearstream, and Balkany cases.

Retired since 2019, this great football fan, also a distinguished pianist, had handled some of the most sensitive political-financial affairs of recent decades. “There is a lot of money at our doors and no one is doing anything”he regretted during the last interview he gave to AFP, in November 2022. He called for “the need for awareness”, “at a time when States have significant deficits, great needs for hospitals, for the energy transition”.

“We are losing an exceptional magistrate who spent his life working tirelessly in the service of Justice,” said declared the President of Paris, Pierre Hoffman, on X. “He embodied the image of the independent and courageous investigating judge, and will leave an indelible mark in the judicial history of our country,” reacted on X Rémy Heitz, attorney general at the Court of Cassation.

“Let’s measure what we are losing”, declares Eva Joly, lawyer, former magistrate, on the same social network. “Taste for effort, commitment against economic crime, sense of duty: that’s what Renaud was,” adds the former environmentalist MEP.