the mayor, accused of rape and domestic violence, placed in pre-trial detention

Nicolas Bazzucchi, mayor of Penne-sur-Huveaune, was placed in police custody on December 16 after the testimony of three alleged victims. This Wednesday, he was indicted for rape and domestic violence before being placed in pre-trial detention.

The mayor of Penne-sur-Huveaune was indicted and placed in pre-trial detention for acts of rape and violence this Wednesday, December 18, BFM Marseille Provence learned from the prosecution.

In August, an investigation was opened against Nicolas Bazzucchi by the Marseille prosecutor’s office, on charges of violence against a spouse. During the investigations, the testimonies of three alleged victims, “former companions of the mayor”, were collected.

Nicolas Bazzucchi denies most of the facts

These led to the 29-year-old councilor, elected during a municipal by-election in 2022, being placed in police custody on Monday December 16. Searches were also carried out at his home and at the town hall of La Penne-sur-Huveaune.

“At the end of his police custody, Nicolas Bazzucchi was presented to an investigating judge” this Wednesday, December 18, indicates the prosecution. Before the magistrate, the mayor “denied the facts of rape and aggravated violence, however admitting certain behaviors likely to have criminal implications”.

At the end of his interrogation, Nicolas Bazzucchi was indicted for “habitual violence against a spouse or ex-spouse leading to total incapacity for work for more than 8 days”, “rape against a spouse or ex-spouse” and “violence against spouse or ex-spouse who has not resulted in total incapacity for work.

This indictment also concerns the charge of “fixing, recording images of a sexual nature of a person found in a private place without their consent committed by the spouse or ex-spouse”, explains the prosecution.

The facts for which Nicolas Bazzucchi is indicted would extend from January 1, 2024 to July 21, 2024. “In accordance with the requisitions of the prosecution, the accused was placed in pre-trial detention,” specifies the prosecution.