the Minister of Justice denounces the speeches of “irresponsible politicians who spread hatred”

The Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, traveling to Perpignan where an LREM deputy was attacked by anti-pass demonstrators, denounced, Thursday, January 27, the speeches of “hatred” of politicians who lead, according to him, to “drifts”. “I think it’s time to question these excesses, on social networks, on the irresponsible politicians who spread hatred. They have a taste for a fractured France. Their program is to go up [les gens] against each other”said the Keeper of the Seals, after visiting Romain Grau, deputy for Pyrénées-Orientales, struck on Saturday by opponents of the health pass.

“After the words, there are the blows. It is a choice of society that we must face. Romain Grau and Guillem Gervilla [conseiller parlementaire du garde des Sceaux] almost got lynched. Justice will do its job”added the minister. The aggression of an elected official, added Eric Dupond-Moretti, “It’s an unbearable attack on democracy (…) We have gone from 50% to more than 80% of arrests on attacks on elected officials. We want more firmness. Those who attack elected officials will not be dealt with like the others”.

Romain Grau recounted having been targeted by “a horde of people” while working in his office with the parliamentary adviser to Eric Dupond-Moretti, and reports “pretty heavy insults” and a “punch on the chin”, which was confirmed by videos shot by demonstrators present that day. Earlier Thursday, two men were taken into custody as part of the investigation into the attack.

I strongly condemn this new attack on my staff, the attempt to intimidate and the violence committed against @guillemgervillaour neighbor and me.

Nothing will prevent me from continuing to act in the service of the people of Perpignan and the French!pic.twitter.com/4ZdYqpiqnv

— Romain Grau (@RomainGrau) January 22, 2022