He presented himself to the gendarmerie as investigators tightened their nets with personal effects left at the scene. A 26-year-old man was taken into custody Tuesday evening, as part of the attack on the mayor of the small village of Saint-Philippe d'Aiguille (418 souls), in Gironde, which occurred on August 4.
The suspect, a young person from the community of Travelers and "not particularly" known to justice according to the Libourne prosecutor's office, was brought to justice this Friday for immediate appearance. He must be judged "for aggravated violence with total interruption of work exceeding 8 days", the aggravating circumstances being in this case the state of intoxication and the capacity of the mayor, depositary of public authority.
Hit while he had fallen
On the evening of the events, around 10:30 p.m., Philippe Bécheau intervened with a group that was pushing the volume of the music too loudly in the village square. He had found himself face to face with alcoholic and aggressive people, had fallen while walking away under pressure and had been struck by a man.
This morning I telephoned the mayor of Saint-Philippe d'Aiguille, assaulted last night, while he was simply doing his duty.
These facts and these acts of violence are unacceptable.
I assured him of my full support and the solidarity of the Nation.
This new attack on a city councilor had aroused strong emotion and prompted firm condemnation of the facts by Prime Minister Jean Castex, and the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin. Another mayor, from La Manche, was attacked shortly after. On this occasion the Association of Mayors of France (AMF) had indicated that "233 elected officials have already suffered an act of violence in 2020", deploring that the "criminal response" is not there.
Miscellaneous
Gironde: A mayor hospitalized after being beaten up, a suspect wanted
Society
Association of mayors of France: Faced with the attacks they suffer, elected officials can no longer take the slowness of justice
- Aquitaine
- Jean Castex
- Investigation
- Bordeaux
- Mayor
- Aggression
- Justice