Rocky Elsom is an iconic former captain of the Australian rugby team and ex-president of the French club Narbonne. He is now on the run to escape a five-year prison sentence handed down in France. He was found guilty of misuse of corporate assets, forgery and use of forgery in his management of the Narbonne club between 2015 and 2016. He was sentenced in absentia on October 11 by the Narbonne court. An international arrest warrant has been issued against him.
An organized escape to escape detention
Elsom was residing in Dublin, where he was working as a rugby coach at a Catholic school, when he learned of his conviction. Three weeks after the verdict, the Irish police (the Garda) showed up at his home with the intention of arresting him. However, the former player, obviously informed of the intentions of the authorities, had already left the scene. According to close sources, he then took refuge in Northern Ireland, taking advantage of the proximity of the border.
According to his statements to Sydney Morning HeraldRocky Elsom claims that this conviction is the result of an unfair procedure. He believes he was not properly informed of the hearing, which would have prevented him from defending himself properly. His lawyer has already filed an appeal to challenge this decision.
An accusation that Rocky Elsom strongly contests
Rocky Elsom categorically denies the accusations against him. In fact, he explains that he never embezzled money from the club and that the financial management of the time was misinterpreted. Ordered to repay 700,000 euros, he denounces a rushed and biased trial. In addition, he specifies that the court had assigned his home address to an incorrect address, which would have led to a lack of effective communication on the part of the French justice system.
In a poignant statement, he says: “When I go out into the street, I level the walls. » This situation has now lasted for several weeks. This forces him to live in hiding, regularly changing locations to escape the authorities.
Financial and personal repercussions
Rocky Elsom also highlighted the prohibitive costs of his defense in the event of detention. In prison, he would be unable to actively participate in collecting the evidence necessary for his defense, thereby increasing legal costs and further complicating his situation.
Finally, the former Wallaby hopes for intervention from the Australian government, pleading for it to examine the legitimacy of his conviction in France. He said it is Australia's responsibility to ensure that one of its citizens can receive a fair trial overseas.
Conclusion
This case highlights the tensions between French justice and the point of view of Rocky Elsom. He maintains his innocence and criticizes the French legal procedure. The fate of the former rugby player remains uncertain, as he continues to live in the shadows to avoid extradition. The next steps in the procedure, in particular the hearing scheduled for November 15, will probably determine the outcome of this case, which continues to make headlines.
