The trial of Rodrigue Petitot resumed this Wednesday, January 22 at the Fort-de-France criminal court. Accused of “home invasion” after his intrusion into the prefect’s residence last November, the leader of the RPPRAC finds himself confronted with charges which were debated during the legal discussions, with a request for reclassification of the facts formulated by the prosecution.
Immaculate white shirt, moccasins and bright red bow tie, Rodrigue Petitot chose the look of a confident orator to face his judges on the second day of his trial.
During his appearance on the stand, he explained “ignore” that it was necessary to go through the prefectural services to request an appointment with the Minister of Overseas Territories at the time, François-Noël Buffet, then visiting the island.
In counterpoint, Rodrigue Petitot denounced a “deliberate maneuver” of the former minister to avoid any confrontation with the RPPRAC. He claimed that the ministerial visit to Martinique had been brought forward by 48 hours, depriving the movement of a crucial opportunity for dialogue, while its representatives were in Paris hoping for a meeting with Mr Buffet.
Also read >>> Attempted intrusion into the prefectural residence in Martinique: “if the Prosecutor’s Office was really looking for the truth, I would not be in front of you”, says Rodrigue Petitot at the helm
Like the day before (Tuesday January 21), the morning was punctuated by the viewing of video sequences of the altercation that occurred on November 11 at the prefectural residence. The images, reviewed several times, made it possible to question the motivations of the members of the RPPRAC and the exact circumstances of the incident.
The prosecution, for its part, requested that a reclassification of the facts as “maintenance in the home of others”, be “put in the debate”. The defense immediately requests a suspension of the hearing to examine this request from the prosecution. “This suspension will take place shortly”indicates the president of the court.
The arrest of Rodrigue Petitot, which occurred on November 11, 2024, is then examined. Questioned about this sequence, the accused affirmed that he had not offered any resistance and had not dealt any blow to the police officers who came to arrest him.
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©Thierry Sokkan
As a reminder, on Tuesday 21, there were four members of the RPRAAC to appear : Mario Briand, Gwladys Roger and Florence Saint-Pierre in addition to Rodrigue Petitot. The first three saw their trials postponed until March 31, but not for the leader. Mario Briand, Florence Saint-Pierre and Gwladys Roger were heard by the court this Wednesday morning, but as witnesses.
Mario Briand, member of the RPPRAC and witness, added about the event :
-We knew that the Minister for Overseas Territories was not going to receive us at that moment.
Mario Briand, member of the RPPRAC and witness
“The idea was just to get an appointment” he specifies. The witness admits to having a “delinquent past” but emphasizes that he has not been for several years and has “served his sentence”.
Then it was the turn of Aude Goussard, secretary of the RPPRAC to be at the helm. “I wonder if this trial of Rodrigue Petitot is not the trial of his audacity”she slips at the bar of the court.
The audacity not to be afraid, the audacity to express ourselves publicly, the audacity not to cower.
Aude Goussard, secretary of the RPPRAC and witness
“We are in an emergency situation and it is a subject of general interest”adds the advisor of the CTM (Territorial Collectivity of Martionique) Alexandre Ventadour, also heard as a witness, about the high cost of living on the island.
The trial continues in the afternoon at the criminal court. His decision is expected at the end of the day.
