Sciences Po: director Mathias Vicherat will have to distance himself from subjects linked to sexual and gender-based violence

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: Thomas SAMSON / AFP 8:14 p.m., January 25, 2024

Mathias Vicherat, who will return to his role as director of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) on Monday, will have to distance himself from subjects linked to sexual and gender-based violence, after being heard in December by the police in an investigation into domestic violence, AFP learned Thursday from a close source.

The commission which brings together the offices of the various Sciences Po councils (board of directors, the institute, student life and training, scientific), which validated the return of Mathias Vicherat for January 29, communicated Thursday internally on the conditions of this return.

In a message addressed to students and staff, of which AFP obtained a copy, this commission considers that the detention of Mathias Vicherat "was damaging for Sciences Po and for all the people who work and study there".

She “requests” that the director “can speak as soon as possible before the CA (board of directors) and CI (institute council) to present the measures that he will implement in order to rebuild this trust” .

“The student mobilization will continue until his resignation”

“When the preliminary investigation is closed, the director will appear before the two authorities (CA and CI), to find out if he still has their confidence,” the message continues.

“Until this date, the commission invites the director to take, in compliance with the education code, the necessary administrative measures to deal with issues related to VSS (sexual and gender-based violence),” indicates the message.

According to a close source, contacted by AFP, this means that "Mathias Vicherat will have to distance himself from subjects linked to VSS".

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Shortly after his arrival at the head of Science Po at the end of 2021, he declared the fight against this violence as an “absolute priority”.

An exceptional institute council is planned for Tuesday noon, as well as an exceptional board of directors Wednesday afternoon, according to consistent sources.

The return of the director of Sciences Po could be disrupted by a mobilization of students, who had from the start demanded his resignation and demonstrated in front of the establishment.

“The student mobilization will continue until his resignation,” the Sciences Po Student Union wrote in a statement on Thursday. Mathias Vicherat and his ex-partner Anissa Bonnefont, who mutually accused each other of domestic violence, were placed in custody. in police custody on December 3 before being released the next day.

A preliminary investigation was ordered by the Paris prosecutor's office.