Samuel Paty’s former colleagues are on the stand this Wednesday, November 13, at the trial of the attack on the teacher, murdered by an Islamist on October 16, 2020 as he left his Conflans Sainte-Honorine college. On Tuesday, the principal of the establishment returned to the threats which had targeted the history and geography teacher, regretting not having succeeded in protecting him. This Wednesday morning, a colleague who had not supported Samuel Paty came to express his remorse.
“I dissociate myself from my colleague“. These are the words written by this history-geography teacher a few days before the attack, in response to an email from the principal warning of the consequences of Samuel Paty’s course.
Even today, this 51-year-old man, dressed like an undertaker at the bar, maintains: “Suggesting certain children to get out of class, it was not consistent“. Not in compliance with the rules of National Education. Uncomfortable, he clears his throat: “I did not understand that he was physically threatened. If he were here today, I would ask him for forgiveness, forgiveness for being hard on him.”
His opposition to the methods of Samuel Paty now seems ridiculous. The professor, for four years, has been silent. In view of the family’s pain, “speaking would have been stupid and indecent.”. “If I speak today, it’s because I have no choice. I must take responsibility for what I said.” He holds on to the bar so as not to flinch, lowers his head. “I have nothing left but mourning.”
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