He confides his "great relief". Several months after the opening of the investigation against the representative of the Vatican in France, the Holy See ended up lifting the immunity of Luigi Ventura, targeted by an investigation in Paris for "sexual assault". At the microphone of Europe 1, Matthieu de la Souchère, the first to have filed a complaint against the apostolic nuncio, rejoices at this "unexpected" decision, but tackles the French government, which "refused to carry a strong diplomatic word".
The young executive of the mayor of Paris said "very surprised and very relieved", this decision "very happy", which will allow "to be entitled to a fair investigation, but also a trial against a litigant like any other ".
"Put the investigation back on track"
But, he says, "what led to this unexpected decision is the mobilization of the victims." Because according to Matthieu de la Souchère, "the French government has refused to carry a strong diplomatic word" in this file. "This is a great relief, but also the beginning of a new adventure," he continues, because "we must find Luigi Ventura and put the investigation back on track to reach a fair trial."
The case broke out in February with the revelation of the opening of an investigation by the Paris prosecutor. The mayor of Paris had reported to the prosecutor that Matthieu de la Souchère had complained of repeated touching of the apostolic nuncio - from "hands to buttocks" - during a ceremony of greetings to the diplomatic authorities in January. Two other complainants then came forward and reported similar facts in 2018. These three men were heard by the investigators. A fourth complaint has since been filed by another man.