Alleged Rape by Police Officers Prompts Investigation at Bobigny Courthouse ‘Depot’
Table of Contents
A 26-year-old woman alleges she was raped twice by two police officers while detained at a holding facility within the Bobigny courthouse complex in Seine-Saint-Denis, France. The alleged incident occurred overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting immediate action from authorities, including the suspension of the two officers and the launch of a formal investigation.
Urgent Investigation Launched
On Thursday morning, the Bobigny prosecutor’s office confirmed the two officers, aged 23 and 35, were taken into police custody as investigators began gathering evidence. The prosecutor, Éric Mathais, indicated the alleged victim was initially referred for acts of “evasion by a parent of their legal obligations.” The investigation has been entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), France’s police oversight body.
“If proven, these actions are extraordinarily serious and unacceptable,” declared the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, to AFP. He assured the public that “total firmness” would be exercised, and that sanctions would be imposed if criminal acts are confirmed and the integrity of the police force is compromised.
Concerns Over Supervision at the Bobigny ‘Depot’
The incident has brought renewed scrutiny to the conditions and oversight at the Bobigny courthouse’s “depot” – a holding area where individuals await trial after being taken into custody. Several legal professionals have voiced concerns about the lack of supervision and the inexperience of officers assigned to the facility.
“There is a real lack of supervision at the Bobigny depot,” explained a criminal lawyer familiar with the court. “The police officers are often very young,” they added, noting that detainees routinely spend the night at the depot, a practice not universal across all French courts. The lawyer emphasized that incidents are particularly likely to occur after dark.
Other lawyers described a pattern of misconduct at the depot, including theft during searches, violence, and the falsification of official records. One lawyer recalled an incident in 2017 where a police officer stole a bulletproof vest from the depot’s break room.
“It’s screaming, it’s oppressive, it’s disgusting,” a young lawyer stated, describing the atmosphere. Another lawyer added that while altercations with police and instances of violence are not uncommon, “sexual assault is the first time I’ve heard that.”
However, a lawyer representing the criminal department of the Bobigny court offered a contrasting perspective, stating the depot is “rather well managed, taking into account the pressure” faced by officers. They asserted that, in their daily experience, officers demonstrate “great professionalism.”
Dilapidated Courthouse and Planned Renovations
The Bobigny court, the second largest in France, is known for its state of disrepair. Currently, extension work is underway, including plans for a new, improved depot facility.
The Paris Police Prefect, Patrice Faure, announced on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday afternoon the immediate suspension of the two officers implicated in the alleged rape. He stated, “Following this report, I immediately suspended from their duties the two police officers assigned to the Bobigny judicial court depot after they were implicated for alleged rape of a person referred.”
The case, which initially fell under the jurisdiction of the Bobigny court, has been transferred to the Paris public prosecutor’s office. An administrative investigation has also been launched by police headquarters, and the accused officers have submitted administrative reports detailing their accounts of the events.
