François-Xavier Lauch, now prefect of Hérault, would have waited until the last moment to ban a demonstration in September 2023 according to MP Karen Erodi (LFI) and three activists. For her part, the public prosecutor requested the acquittal.
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It all started on September 21, 2023, a demonstration demanding “the dissolution of the Patria Albiges group” was declared at the prefecture. It is to be held five days later, while three activists from the small far-right group appear in court.
But the project came to an end on September 25 when François-Xavier Lauch, then prefect of Tarn, filed an order banning demonstrations. The organizers were notified around 5 p.m., and filed an appeal for interim relief. The Toulouse administrative court will not examine it until September 26, several hours before the planned start of the rally.
Thus Armand Gobad, former La France Insoumise candidate for mayor of Pampelonne, Michel Massol of the CGT Retraités, Christine Martin and Karen Erodi, LFI deputy, filed a complaint against the prefect. According to them, the latter would have voluntarily delayed the filing of the banning order, to prevent the demonstration from taking place. They accuse the depositary of public authority of having “taken a measure against the execution of the law”.
Also read: The former prefect of Tarn and close to Emmanuel Macron referred to justice by an LFI deputy
The hearing was held on November 7, 2024, in the absence of the prefect, the aim was then to rule on the conditions which had led to the ban on the demonstration. Me Holleaux, lawyer for François-Xavier Lauch, explained the investigation procedure of the Tarn prefecture before the Albi criminal court.
He wanted to recall the security context then in place at that time, he also accused the LFI deputy of wanting to “put forward” in this matter. It is in this sense that he is claiming 3,000 euros in damages from the plaintiffs for abusive constitution of civil party. For his part, Mr. Peru, lawyer for the plaintiffs, questioned: “Why did the prefect wait so long to file the ban order?”
The prosecutor of the Republic of Albi, Stéphanie Bazart, has demanded the release of François-Xavier Lauch. The correctional court will make its decision on November 21 next.
