A French political figure steps down from office.
A French politician is accused of dosing an MP's champagne with the drug MDMA. She managed to leave before things got worse. Upon new evidence, the accused has stepped down from his parliamentary responsibilities yet retains his senator position. Senator Joel Guerriau, associated with the political circle, confirmed this news in Paris on a Wednesday evening. He disputed the claims but preferred not to disrupt the Senate's tranquility.
It was reported earlier that the man, aged 66, looked up "drugs and rape", "effects of MDMA", and "selling MDMA" on the web a few days prior to the dispute in question. These findings emerged from his mobile device, as per judicial sources. These queries challenge the senator's prior assertions, stating he had procured a "stimulating agent" to alleviate his stress and the loss of his cat. The substance was mistakenly included in a champagne glass and served to MP Sandrine Josso.
Guerriau had invited Josso, 49, to his apartment in November 2023 to celebrate his reelection. Josso later recounted her host's insistence on drinking quickly. He also intermittently switched on and off the lights and handled a small white bag in the kitchen. After ingesting the champagne, she experienced extreme discomfort and fled the apartment, later stating she had "escaped the situation". Substantial levels of MDMA were identified in her bloodstream, significantly higher than usually consumed for a positive effect.
Guerriau's attorneys announced his intention to address the justice system on Tuesday. Concurrently, he was expelled from his political party, Horizons, founded by former prime minister Edouard Philippe. Guerriau, now a senator since 2022, previously held significant roles at various banks and served as mayor of a small town on the Loire for extended periods.
Josso shared her ordeal in numerous interviews to encourage discourse on the issue of date-rape drug misuse, frequently challenging proof. This topic has garnered mainstream attention in France, with 51 men facing trial in Avignon for allegedly raping a woman dosed with sedatives, in accordance with her then-husband's instructions. The situation was exposed due to the man's meticulous organization of thousands of related photos and videos on his hard drive.
The queries found on the senator's mobile device, including "drugs and rape" and "effects of MDMA", have raised concerns about his involvement with drugs. The substance mistakedly included in the champagne and served to MP Sandrine Josso was identified as MDMA.
