French Senator Joël Guerriau will stand trial over accusations that he drugged a parliamentary colleague with the intent to sexually assault her, AFP confirmed on Friday via a source close to the case.
Two investigating magistrates have referred Guerriau for trial over the alleged incident involving MP Sandrine Josso in November 2023. The development was first reported by France 2’s Complément d’enquête, an investigative television programme.
According to the judges’ report seen by AFP, Guerriau, aged 67, is suspected of lacing Josso’s champagne with ecstasy during a private meeting. The report alleges that his aim was to rape or sexually assault her. He will also face charges for possession of illegal drugs.
“Joël Guerriau contests the allegations against him,” stated his lawyers, Henri Carpentier and Marie Roumiantseva. They added that the truth would emerge in court, “far from the caricatures and rumours circulated so far. Mr Guerriau does not fear the truth: he seeks it.”
Arnaud Godefroy, lawyer for Ms Josso, said she felt relieved by the court’s decision, noting it reflected “the seriousness of her complaint”.
France’s Horizons party, led by former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, suspended Guerriau in November 2023 after formal charges were filed. Guerriau denied intending to assault Josso, claiming instead that the drugging was a “handling error”.
This high-profile case follows a recent ruling in which Frenchman Dominique Pelicot received a 20-year prison sentence for repeatedly drugging his wife so he and others could rape her. The victim, Gisèle Pelicot, waived her right to anonymity and demanded a public trial, bringing the case global attention.
Earlier this month, the French Senate passed legislation to include lack of consent in the legal definition of rape, bringing France closer in line with countries such as Germany, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands.