Henri Jibrayel during his trial in 2020 -

Mathilde Ceilles / 20 Minutes

  • A two-year prison sentence, of which six months is firm and a five-year ineligibility sentence were required against the former PS deputy from Marseille, Henri Jibrayel.

  • He is accused of having funded in 2011 and 2012 sea trips for elderly people in his constituency by associations subsidized by the Bouches-du-Rhône departmental council.

A two-year prison sentence including six months was required on Tuesday against Henri Jibrayel, 68, former deputy (PS) from Marseille, tried for breach of trust and illegal taking of interest.

Still a departmental councilor, the elected representative was criticized for having financed, in 2011 and 2012, sea trips for the elderly in his constituency by associations over which he had control and which were subsidized by the general council of Bouches-du-Rhône, the majority of which was then socialist.

Prosecutor Etienne Perrin also demanded before the Marseille Criminal Court a fine of 30,000 euros and a deprivation of civil and civic rights, ie ineligibility, for five years, criticizing "an archaic and feudal system".

"Archaic system"

To justify his requisitions of six months in prison to be served under the electronic bracelet regime, the prosecutor stressed that "the facts are part of time, are hidden and undermine public finances and confidence in political life. ".

The magistrate denounced practices "more worthy of thugs than of a local elected official", in reference to a visit of the former deputy to the official of the general council in charge of the instruction of the files of grants to associations.

"Thank you for charging me in front of the police," he said to her, closing the door to his office.

At the hearing, Henri Jibrayel assured that he had never asked him to reconsider his statements implicating him.

Taking up expressions of Henri Jibrayel at the hearing - "It is at home", "It is my territory" -, the prosecutor considered that the elected representative had set up an "archaic system which justifies a stranglehold on associations which should give you back a popularity, an aura ”.

"You share constituencies and cantons"

Lawyer for the departmental council who became a civil party, Me Gilles Gauer claimed 51,500 euros in damages, amount of subsidies diverted from their associative purpose, and 5,000 euros for non-pecuniary damage.

The lawyer launched to the elected: "You share constituencies and cantons as others share Sicily and Puglia".

At the hearing, Henri Jibrayel agreed to “blunders”, even errors, frequently invoking “political politics” but he contested that he was the organizer of mini-cruises and the de facto manager of neighborhood associations which have paid the bills.

He just concedes having served as a relay between them and the former SNCM who had embarked a total of 2,400 elderly people during four trips to sea. Me Pierre Ceccaldi, defender of Henri Jibrayel, was to plead the release.

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  • Deputy

  • Marseilles

  • Justice

  • Breach of trust