the Minister of Justice ready to “advance the legal arsenal” so that this “heinous crime cannot happen again”

Didier Migaud, Minister of Justice, assumes “a feeling of failure” while the main suspect was under an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF).

“Of course this crime is heinous, of course Philippine should not have died”reacts Didier Migaud, Minister of Justice, Friday September 27 on France Inter, after the discovery last Saturday of the buried body of Philippine, 19, in the Bois de Boulogne. A crime “unacceptable”, according to the minister, questioned about the criticisms of a part of the political class which evokes shortcomings and the “laxity” of justice. The main suspect, a 22-year-old man arrested in Switzerland, was subject to an OQTF, an obligation to leave French territory.

“For me it’s a feeling of failure, obviously” assumes the Keeper of the Seals, who questions “how to ensure that this type of situation cannot happen again”. “It will be my responsibility, with the Ministry of the Interior, and the arbitration of the Prime Minister in relation to a certain number of proposals that we can make to him,” adds Didier Migaud. “Justice is there to ensure that such situations do not go unpunished,” he continues, while admitting “that it may be possible to develop the legal arsenal”.

“I will see if the procedures are suitable, in order, with my colleague the Minister of the Interior, to possibly propose the necessary modifications,” insists Didier Migaud who however refuses to “legislate on the spot”. “I understand that emotion is such that it overwhelms all objective discourse,” believes the Minister of Justice, recalling that “the time for justice is not the time for emotion”.

Restoring the bond of trust between the French and justice is one of the priorities of the Minister of Justice who deplores “this distrust”. “It’s up to me to ensure that this confidence is stronger”, insists Didier Migaud. The Minister of Justice calls for reliance on “objective data”. “Like the execution of sentences, which has progressed a lot, like the number of people who are detained in prison today,” underlines Didier Migaud, who says he understands that “it is unhearable to the citizen”.

“I will always be the defender of the rule of law, always the defender of justice, always the defender of magistrates, promises Didier Migaud, without being complacent with regard to shortcomings which may actually occur.”