New judicial episode in the suspicions of corruption in Togo weighing on Vincent Bolloré: according to the lawyers, parties to the case, the Paris Court of Appeal canceled, this Tuesday, March 22, part of the documents of the investigation into the attribution management of the port of Lomé between 2009 and 2011, but confirmed the indictment of the French businessman for corruption of a foreign public official.
The Court of Appeal had been seized by the defense of Vincent Bolloré who requested the nullity of the judicial inquiry and therefore of his indictment, on the grounds in particular that the presumption of innocence of the French billionaire was flouted by the fact that his failed attempt to plead guilty was part of the proceedings.
Remember that the investigating judges, seized since 2013, suspect in particular the Bolloré group and its ” highest authorities of having used the political consultancy activities of its subsidiary Euro RSCG to fraudulently obtain the management of the port of Lomé for the benefit of another of its subsidiaries.
A trial ” necessary »
However, in February 2021, Vincent Bolloré had publicly admitted the charges and agreed to pay a fine of 375,000 euros, during an appearance on prior admission of guilt (CRPC), negotiated with the prosecution. But the judge in charge of the case had refused to approve this “plea of guilty”, considering ” necessary » holding a trial.
It is therefore the documents relating to this CRPC that the Court of Appeal finally annulled. “ It’s no surprise, it’s law enforcement. Admission of guilt cannot appear in the file because the presumption of innocence must be preserved. “, reacts Jérôme Karsenti, counsel for the Anticor and Sherpa associations, civil parties. But for the lawyer, this decision remains a ” victoire “, since “ the indictment is confirmed and therefore Vincent Bolloré will appear before an independent and impartial tribunal for corruption “. Contacted, Me Baratelli, Vincent Bolloré’s lawyer, declined to comment.
(With AFP)
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