The Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin is at the Paris judicial court to be confronted with Sophie Patterson-Spatz, the woman who accuses him of rape.

(Illustration) -

FRANCOIS GREUEZ / SIPA

Arrived Friday at the beginning of the afternoon at the judicial court of Paris, the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin will be confronted before the examining magistrate with Sophie Patterson-Spatz, the woman who accuses him of "rape".

This is the first time that Gérald Darmanin and this woman are confronted in this case, which began with a first complaint in 2017.

Rape, sexual harassment and breach of trust

Gérald Darmanin arrived by car with his lawyers, Me Pierre-Olivier Sur and Me Mathias Chichportich, shortly before 2 p.m.

The complainant, Sophie Patterson-Spatz, had arrived a little earlier on foot, accompanied by her advice Me Elodie Tuaillon-Hibon and Marjolaine Vignola.

The minister, placed in mid-December under the status of assisted witness in this case, is accused by this complainant of rape, sexual harassment and breach of trust.

The investigation into these facts dating from 2009 is in the hands of an investigating judge, following a long procedural battle.

The examining magistrate placed this government heavyweight on December 14 under the status of assisted witness for these facts, a status which may evolve during the proceedings towards an indictment if the magistrate collects "serious clues or concordant ”.

"I had the life of a young man"

In March 2009, the complainant addressed the elected official, then in charge of the legal affairs department of the UMP (ancestor of LR), to try to revise a 2004 conviction for blackmail and malicious appeals to the court. 'respect of an ex-companion.

According to her, Gerald Darmanin would have dangled his support from the Chancellery via a letter, in exchange for sexual favors that she would have accepted, feeling forced to "go to the pan", according to her expression in front of the investigators.

In front of the police, in February 2018, Gérald Darmanin confirmed having had a sexual relationship with Sophie Patterson-Spatz, but according to him freely consented and at the initiative of the complainant: "There was no consideration".

"You still have to measure what it is to be wrongly accused, of having to explain to your parents what happened because, it's true, I had the life of a young man. », Explained Gérald Darmanin in July to La Voix du Nord.

Gérald Darmanin, whose appointment as Minister of the Interior had been criticized by feminists, mainly because of this case, filed a complaint for slanderous denunciation.

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  • Court

  • Sexual assault

  • Breach of trust

  • Victim

  • Rape

  • Gerald Darmanin

  • Justice