A regional councilor of the Grand Est region, Christian Debève, was accused of sexual assault and placed under the status of assisted witness for two other people, announced to Agence France-Presse (AFP), on Wednesday, October 2, the prosecutor of Colmar, confirming information from Rue89 Strasbourg.
“It was heard as part of a first appearance interrogation. He was charged with sexual assault (a “stolen kiss”) and placed on assisted witness status for the other two acts of sexual assault.said the prosecutor, Jean Richert. Judicial information, open in June 2023, “will continue”he added.
This judicial investigation had been opened for an attempted rape and two sexual assaults, but the attempted rape was reclassified as a sexual assault, Valérie Gletty, lawyer for one of the three complainants, explained to AFP. Among the three women are two regional elected officials from the Big East and one elected official from another region.
“Placement under assisted witness status does not mean that he is innocent, but it does imply that there will be additional investigations and that a long-term prosecution is possible.”underline Mmy Gletty. He added that his client had “he asked for a confrontation” with Mr. Debève: “We are waiting for it to be organized. »
The elected official questions the facts
Christian Debève’s lawyer, Delphine Gilbert, stressed that her client “disputes” the act for which he was accused, that is, a “conflictive kiss”. “Mr Debève is free and is not subject to any coercive measures. “He continues to trust in justice to establish the truth and confirm his innocence.”He clarified his advice.
METROmy Gilbert adds that he “deplores the serious attack on his presumption of innocence and the biased presentation of his current situation in the procedure” and so?“will take legal action aimed at repairing the significant damage it is suffering due to the slanderous complaints of which it is the subject”.
Christian Debève is a member of the regional majority group: Republicans, Centrists and Independents.
