Was an elected official from Toulouse “beaten up” during a CGT meeting? What the prosecution says

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Friday November 22, 2024, Jean-Luc Moudenc said he was “deeply shocked” after Samir Hajijemunicipal councilor, was “violently beaten” during a conference organized the same evening in the premises of the CGT 31. This is, in any case, the version of the facts given by the tenant of the Capitol who spoke with the elected official by telephone on Saturday morning.

This Sunday, November 24, the prosecution indicates that the complaint filed yesterday by Samir Hajije was dismissed. The CGT which, until now, had not responded to requests fromToulouse Newsfinally spoke out.

The version of the facts reported by the mayor

Friday evening, a meeting on the liberation of Western Sahara was organized at the Bourse du Travail, the premises occupied by the CGT 31, on Place Saint-Sernin in Toulouse. Since 1975, the status of this territory, a former Spanish colony, has been debated and pitted the Shereef kingdom against the Polisario Front, an independence movement supported by Algeria.

Challenged by the theme of the meeting, “Samir Hajije, who is Franco-Moroccan” – explained the mayor of Toulouse – attended the meeting. Jean-Luc Moudenc then detailed this Saturday: “he came home, but he did not want to intervene. When he wanted to go out, he was caught by a person wearing a 'CGT security' armband to prevent him.

“Punches, kicks,” said the mayor

Still according to the mayor, the municipal councilor was attacked and received kicks and punches. “They tried to strangle him,” added Jean-Luc Moudenc.

On social networks, many local political figures, belonging to the majority as well as the opposition, reacted to the message from the tenant of the Capitol, by condemning this violence and sending their support to Samir Hajije, like Vincent Gibertmunicipal councilor (PS):

What the videos from the scene showed

A version which finds itself, this Sunday, contested after the exploitation of videos of witnesses to the scene, presented at the Toulouse police station on Saturday.

“They showed that there had been no attacks on this elected official. He was simply pushed out of the conference room. There was a fall of the security agent and the elected official,” details the prosecution, contacted by Toulouse News.

Before adding: “the procedure was closed without further action”.

At CGT he expresses himself

The witnesses and the accused were heard. Among them, Cédric Caubèrewho does not hide his relief this Sunday, after the conclusions of the prosecution.

Contacted by Toulouse Newsthe general secretary of the CGT 31 explains that he arrived at the end of the conference which was held Friday evening, “when the police were there”.

We do not understand for what purpose this affair was created from scratch.

“No blows, no strangulation,” says Cédric Caubère

He continues: “Mr. Hajije was allowed to return, accompanied by other people. We knew that they were in opposition to the dominant position of the debate, proof that it was a real public debate,” specifies the secretary. A response to the words of Jean-Luc Moudenc who considered yesterday that “the CGT does not accept contradiction [sur les sujets abordés dans ses meetings, NDLR] ».

Cédric Caubère then explains that the elected official and the other people with him left the room. “At that time, given the behavior there was – they were making phone calls, as if we were calling for backup – we asked that they not be able to return again. As the door was closed, they objected. They pushed the comrades who were there to intervene. Mr. Hajije eventually passed. There was a stampede. He was caught, taken back to the door. But there were no blows, no strangulation. This is what we can see in the videos. »

Meetings organized “within a legal framework”

Recalling another altercation that occurred in May 2023 at the Labor Exchange, in the presence of the deputy mayor Nicole YardeniJean-Luc Moudenc explained that he had questioned the CGT “on all the activities that are developed in this municipal location”. Requests by mail made for two years and remained unanswered, according to the mayor.

“These are letters asking that the town hall have the right to review the meetings held at the Stock Exchange [du travail, NDLR]. The CGT has been there since 1895. We hold meetings there within a legal framework,” replies Cédric Caubère.

While Jean-Luc Moudenc had noted “a drift” in the activities of the CGT, the secretary affirmed: “we are involved in trade unionism, in the company and outside too”. And added: “on average, there is one public meeting per week at the Labor Exchange. There is no security problem, no one is molested… We never hear about any problem, except when there is a municipal elected official in the story. We deduce from it what we want.”

A discussion “to put everything straight”

Far from wanting to reject discussions with the mayor of the Pink City, Cédric Caubère announces that, from this Monday, November 25, he will propose to Jean-Luc Moudenc to come to meet the CGT at the Labor Exchange “so that the 'we're putting all of that into perspective.'

“We do not want to undermine democracy, debate, plurality. We must clear up all misunderstandings,” concludes the Secretary General.

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