• Emily Spanton, a 42-year-old Canadian, accuses two ex-BRI police officers of having raped her in 2014 in the famous premises of the judicial police, at 36 Quai des Orfèvres, in Paris.

  • Tried in 2019 for the first time, the two defendants had been found guilty of gang rape and had been sentenced to a 7-year prison term.

  • The two men, who have since been placed under judicial supervision, have appealed against this conviction and must be tried again from this Tuesday in Créteil.

In 2019, the trial of Antoine Q. and Nicolas R. ended abruptly for these two former elite police officers.

Sentenced to seven years in prison and found guilty of gang rape by the Paris Assize Court, these former members of the prestigious Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) then left the Ile de la Cité in handcuffs. at the wrists.

A significant outcome, like the debates that were held for three weeks.

Accused since 2014 by a Canadian tourist, Emily Spanton, the two men immediately appealed this decision.

This Tuesday, everyone must meet at the Créteil court for the appeal trial of this case of the "rape of 36", in reference to the historic premises of the judicial police, 36 Quai des Orfèvres, where the facts took place.

Two opposite versions

Eight years after the start of the case, a new popular jury will have the heavy task of diving back into the night of April 22, 2014. That evening, the two police officers meet Emily Spanton in an Irish pub, the Galway, where the men of "36" have their habits.

This 34-year-old Canadian tourist shares several drinks with the two accused, flirts and exchanges a few kisses.

Shortly after midnight, they offer him an impromptu visit to the famous premises of the judicial police, located a few steps from the bar, on the Ile de la Cité.

The young woman, who staggers because of the alcohol, accepts and follows them.

From their arrival on the spot, the stories diverge and oppose each other in all respects.

Emily Spanton accuses Nicolas R. and Antoine Q. of having raped her and of having imposed oral sex on her.

Several witnesses will attest to the state of "shock" of the tourist who emerged from "36", without her tights, her pumps in her hand and in tears.

“They wanted sex with me that I didn't want,” she told one of the policemen in charge of guarding the entrance to the historic building.

For their part, the two men categorically deny the facts of which they are accused and plead for “consented” relations.

At first instance, this defense did not convince the court.

In his motivations, the president had castigated the “evolutionary, fanciful and not very credible” depositions of the former BRI police officers and highlighted “the constant statements” of the victim.

To justify their verdict, the magistrate and the jurors also relied on various "scientific and technical elements" such as telephone, genetic and psychological expertise carried out during the investigation.

An embarrassing SMS, sent by Nicolas R. to one of his colleagues to invite him to join him and in which he described the victim as "touseuse" (for "orgy"), erased after Emily filed a complaint Spanton, was notably retained as an element in the prosecution.

A long-awaited trial

Sent back twice because of the Covid-19 epidemic and then after the hospitalization of the lawyer for one of the two accused, Me Thierry Herzog, the appeal trial is particularly awaited by both parties.

“The hearing at first instance was extremely violent with a very aggressive defense vis-à-vis the civil party.

But I am very admiring of my client, she holds the road and she is very solid, ”says Emily Spanton’s lawyer, Me Sophie Obadia.

Pending this second trial, the police officers were placed under judicial supervision after having been detained for several weeks.

Responsible for defending Nicolas R., Pascal Garbarini also underlines the “fighting spirit” of his client: “He wants to bring out his innocence.

He obviously lives very badly with this accusation, it is a burden for him, ”says the lawyer to

20 Minutes.

Tried until April 22, the two defendants incur up to twenty years in prison.

Justice

Rape case at 36: The two police officers sentenced to seven years in prison for the gang rape of a Canadian tourist

Justice

Rape case at 36: "I didn't fuck anyone and didn't do anything with a sexual connotation that night!"

20 seconds of context

20 Minutes

has decided to anonymize the police officers implicated in this case because, although they are now suspended from their duties, they can, as a former member of the BRI, be covered by the decree. of 7 April 2011 relating to respect for the anonymity of certain police officers.

  • Rape

  • Policeman

  • BIS

  • Trial

  • Federal police

  • Justice