An investigation was opened on June 28 for attempted rape targeting Damien Abad after a complaint was filed against the current Minister of Solidarity, franceinfo learned this Wednesday from the Paris prosecutor’s office. The investigations were entrusted to the BRDP (Brigade for the repression of delinquency against the person).
>> Accusations of rape against Damien Abad: we summarize the case in nine acts
Justice thus wants to shed light on events that occurred in early 2010, according to the complainant. According to her, this attempted rape took place during a private party at the home of the current minister. That evening, she says she came face to face with Damien Abad when leaving the toilet. According to her, the then MEP drags her into a room, gives her an armbar, pushes her head against her crotch and tries to force oral sex on her. She then recounts having struggled, and having hit him before managing to flee.
This elected also recounts several facts of harassment and sexual assault on the part of Damien Abad, from 2009, but these facts are a priori too old to be prosecuted. The investigation will therefore focus on the charges of attempted rape. The Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and Disabled People Damien Abad is the subject of two other charges, this time for rape, revealed by Mediapart a few days after his appointment to the government, on May 20. A woman filed a complaint twice for a rape she said she suffered in 2011. The Paris prosecutor’s office dismissed these two complaints in 2012 and 2017.
“Cannonball”
But if the Minister of Solidarity pleads innocence, behind the scenes, the position becomes fragile, while Elisabeth Borne is preparing to make proposals to the President of the Republic to reshuffle the government after the legislative elections. “It won’t pass the reshuffle“, thus bet a pillar of the majority. As of May 22, Elisabeth Borne undertook to draw all the consequences if a new element appeared. However, with the opening of an investigation, there are several within the executive to judge that the Prime Minister holds it while Matignon leaked a few days ago in the press that in private, she describes her minister as “cannonball“.
“The opening of an investigation is non-information since it is systematic after a complainte”, argues the defense of Damien Abad to franceinfo. “Presumption of innocence“, responds for the moment the President himself. The reshuffle nevertheless offers “an opportunity“, judges a government source.
But if he separates from Damien Abad, who does not intend to leave on his own according to his entourage, Emmanuel Macron will also have to thank Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, notes an adviser to power. The Secretary of State in charge of the Francophonie is also targeted by an investigation after complaints of rape and gynecological violence, within the framework of her profession as a doctor. With the three ministers beaten in the legislative elections, it is therefore at least five members of the government that should be replaced.