Former French Senator on Trial for Alleged Drink Spiking of MP
A former French senator has appeared in court in Paris, facing serious charges related to the alleged drugging of a fellow politician. The case has sent shockwaves through the political establishment in France, highlighting concerns about safety and misconduct among elected officials.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Joël Guerriau, aged 68, is accused of spiking a glass of champagne with MDMA and serving it to Sandrine Josso, a centrist member of parliament, in November 2023. At the time, Guerriau was a senator for Loire-Atlantique in western France. Josso, who is 50 years old, reported experiencing severe symptoms including heart palpitations, nausea, and difficulty standing upright. Despite these effects, she managed to escape from his apartment.
Guerriau has since resigned from the senate in October of last year. He faces charges of drug use and possession, as well as secretly administering a substance to alter discernment with the intent to commit rape or sexual assault. However, he denies any intention to carry out such acts. His legal representative has previously stated that the drink was served accidentally.
Impact on the Victim and Political Response
Sandrine Josso, a member of the centrist MoDem party in the national assembly, has emerged as a prominent advocate in France's efforts to combat drug-facilitated sexual assault. Following the incident, she played a key role in leading a parliamentary investigation into sexual crimes involving drugs and co-authored a report on the subject.
Josso has also joined a campaign group focused on raising awareness about drug-facilitated abuse. This group was established by Caroline Darian, the daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, who gained international recognition in 2024 for waiving her anonymity in a trial involving multiple men convicted of raping her after she was drugged by her then-husband.
Account of the Evening
Josso described how Guerriau, whom she had known for years and considered a friend, invited her to celebrate his re-election to the senate. Initially, they planned to meet at a restaurant, but the location was changed to his home. She expected others to be present, but found him alone upon arrival.
In an interview with RTL radio on Monday, Josso noted that his behaviour seemed unusual. She accepted a drink, but he repeatedly insisted on making toasts, encouraging her to consume more. She recalled, "I felt the champagne had a distinct taste, but I was a bit tired after the working day. He said to me: 'You’re barely drinking,' which was irritating because I didn’t see why he’d make me drink. He went into the kitchen with the glasses – I looked and saw there was a sachet beside the glasses. I thought: what is that? I had extreme palpitations and nausea."
Fearing a cardiac arrest, Josso used a phone app to order a taxi to the national assembly. She summoned her last reserves of strength and survival instinct to leave the apartment. The taxi driver and parliamentary colleagues assisted her, with paramedics being called. She then contacted Yaël Braun-Pivet, the leader of the lower house of parliament, who helped her file a formal police complaint.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
The court is anticipated to review details from Guerriau's internet search history in the days leading up to the alleged incident. Under French law, drugging a person to commit rape or sexual assault can result in a prison sentence of up to five years. Additionally, Guerriau could face up to 10 years in prison for drug possession charges.
This trial underscores broader issues of accountability and safety within political environments, drawing attention to the need for vigilance and support for victims of such crimes.
