France: Six women accuse Nicolas Hulot of sexual violence
Nicolas Hulot is targeted by new charges of sexual assault and rape.
AFP / File
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The former French Minister of Ecology Nicolas Hulot announced Wednesday evening his withdrawal from public life, ahead of new accusations of sexual violence against his person.
Thursday evening in the television show
Special Envoy
, broadcast on France 2, three women testified with exposed faces against his actions, another anonymously, and two via letters addressed to the editorial staff of the show.
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In all, six women testify against Nicolas Hulot, former president of the Nicolas Hulot foundation and former French Minister of Ecology for acts which allegedly took place between 1989 and 2001.
Cécile worked in 1998 at the French Embassy in Moscow.
She was 23 years old at the time.
After an evening spent with Nicolas Hulot's team when he was managing Ushuaia magazine, she finds herself in a taxi with him.
Cécile comes back to this episode: "
He throws himself on me, he tries to kiss me, he touches my breasts, the crotch (...) I pushed him away, I hit him in the face.
"
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To read also: Accused of sexual assault and rape, former Minister Nicolas Hulot leaves public life
Sylvia, she says she was sexually assaulted in 1989 in a parking lot at the age of 16 by Nicolas Hulot.
She only spoke about it years later to her mother and a friend and did not file a complaint: “
It was inconceivable for me to go and confide this to anyone (...) and then who would believe me?
A 16-year-old girl, Nicolas Hulot…
”She finally decided to free herself from this terrible weight by giving this interview to
Special Envoy.
Bulk rejection
Nicolas Hulot refused to answer face camera to these accusations despite the requests of the show.
He gave his version of the facts over the phone and regrets not being able to defend himself in court: “
It's so abject, so odious, so light years away from who I have been, from what I am. . we can no longer defend ourselves!
"
In addition to his withdrawal from public life, Nicolas Hulot also announced last Wednesday that he was stepping down as president of his foundation.
The facts are time barred and there will be no inquiries into these charges.
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See also: Violence against women: for Célia Levy "
the measures in place are extremely derisory
"
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