An investigation for racially-motivated public insults had been opened on May 26, after Internet writings by a municipal councilor from Béziers (Hérault), elected from the list of Robert Ménard (various right), against the MP Laetitia Avia (LREM).
This Friday, Raphaël Balland, the public prosecutor of Béziers, indicates that this 68-year-old man will be tried before the criminal court on July 16. He will have to answer for public insults towards a person because of his origin or his membership or his non-membership of an ethnic group or a race, an offense making incur the maximum penalties of one year of imprisonment and 45,000 euros d 'fine.
🔴 # Hérault # Béziers Skidding of the ex-running mate of Robert # Ménard on Facebook: #SOS #Racism alerts the parquet floor of Béziershttps: //t.co/CnvyxJ0ZMh pic.twitter.com/pKBR5ekzHG
- Midi Libre (@Midilibre) May 20, 2020"A big mistake"
Heard this Friday, the man admitted to being the author of these remarks, indicates the prosecutor, while affirming to have committed "a big error" which does not reflect his personality. He said "not to be racist and want to apologize to the victim. He explains that on the day of the events, he was hospitalized and on medication. "
SOS Racisme indicated on May 20 that it had taken legal action after sending this message on May 14, which has since been deleted. "These comments were openly aimed at being in public space and reveal a racist conception of the world that one might have thought belonged to a bygone era," said the association.
"Unacceptable" remarks
"The remarks are all the more inadmissible as they are made by a person who was elected and who appeared on a list in the last municipal elections and who has a certain habit of responsibility for public speaking insofar as he is in addition leader of local associations ”, continued SOS Racisme.
Robert Ménard, re-elected in the first round mayor of Béziers on March 15, demanded on May 19 the resignation of this city councilor, 35th on his list.
Society
Béziers: An elected official suspected of having published a racist message towards MP Laetitia Avia
News
Rouen: Police officers sent back to disciplinary council for racist comments
- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Beziers
- Social media
- Racism
- Justice