She had been one of the first to speak in France, at the beginning of the #MeToo movement. Alexandra Besson will be in Paris court Monday morning, as Pierre Joxe, who accuses him of defamation. The former minister of the interior, under another investigation for sexual assault since last week, intends to wash his reputation.
An alleged assault committed at the opera
A few days after the fall of producer Harvey Weinstein, in October 2017, the young woman had posted a post on his blog, accusing the former minister of François Mitterrand of a sexual assault committed when she was 20 years old. The facts are prescribed, and Alexandra Besson does not first name her alleged aggressor. But very quickly, it confirms the identity of Pierre Joxe.
The whole issue of the hearing, which will be held in front of a civil chamber specialized in press law, will therefore be to determine whether Alexandra Besson is in good faith. Does she have any evidence to prove that she suffered the repeated assaults of Pierre Joxe in March 2010, when he was his arm-chair neighbor?
Eric Besson cited as a witness
The lawyer Pierre Joxe, Me Dupeux, intends to rely on the contradictions of the young woman, who is mistaken including the opera Wagner. He should also point out the consequences for his client, whose name is now associated on the internet with the suspicion of sexual assault, almost more than his former position in the government.
The defense is going to call Eric Besson as a witness. Former Minister, too, is the father of Alexandra Besson. And he says he got his daughter's confidences on the night of the alleged assault. At the time, he had encouraged him to file a complaint. She had refused for fear of not being heard ... And this revolted trial to be pursued, while she claims to be a victim, says his advice.