“This is an attack on the presumption of innocence”, denounced Friday, December 3 to franceinfo Caroline Wassermann, lawyer for judoka Alain Schmitt, after the words of the Minister of Sports. Roxana Maracineanu called judokate Margaux Pinot a “victim” in the case of violence between the couple. On Tuesday, the Bobigny Criminal Court released Alain Schmitt during a hearing for immediate appearance. This relax has been talked about a lot, especially on social networks. The Bobigny prosecutor’s office appealed.
franceinfo: How did you and your client react to these words from the Minister of Sports?
Caroline Wassermann: This does not fool anyone and it is quite sneaky: she announces that she cannot express herself but she does express herself anyway. Come to affirm that Margaux Pinot is “clearly victim”, it is a direct criticism of a court decision. There are three magistrates who have studied the file carefully, which is not the case with the Minister of Sports who did not have (and this is normal) knowledge of the elements of this case and who only reacts ‘next to emotions.
This seems all the more serious to me since Mrs Elisabeth Moreno, herself Minister, two days earlier, had also by a totally unacceptable tweet called into question this decision of Justice.
Do you consider that this is a breach of the presumption of innocence of your client and, if so, how do you plan to react?
Undoubtedly, this is an infringement of the presumption of innocence. It goes even further because for the moment, there is a decision which affirms the innocence of my client. I do not yet know precisely the channels that will be used, but the executive should be reminded of the principle of the separation of powers which is the basis of our democracy.
It would be useful at this stage for the President of the Republic, who is, I remind you, guarantor of the independence of the judiciary, reminds his ministers that they do not have to lend themselves to these mock media justice and that they must stay in their place.
How did your client react to the press conference given Thursday by Margaux Pinot, where she claims that the remarks made by Alain Schmitt are lies?
My client is right in his boots. He maintains everything he said. Ms. Pinot’s version has already been heard by the court but she was not convinced.
Have you thought about a possible complaint against Margaux Pinot since yesterday?
Yes. We are considering several procedures that will be put in place when the time comes.