France: ‘Fairly integrated’ youth released pending further investigation into alleged rape

A 15-year-old has been taken into custody in the town of Perpignan, in the Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. He stands accused of rape and invasion of sexual privacy. Public prosecutor Jean-David Cavaillé confirmed the news to Actu Perpignan. The prosecutor’s office has also confirmed that “massive alcohol consumption” was involved. 

The alleged rape took place on a Saturday night, March 15, into the morning hours of March 16, after a party both reportedly had attended. The 15-year-old French youth claims he had consensual sex with the 18-year-old woman, while the woman claims she was raped by a “hooded man” after being forcefully dragged “to an isolated location,” according to the Indépendant. 

The female victim contacted her mother on Sunday morning before being taken to the emergency room where she underwent a medical examination.

The 15-year-old was taken into custody on March 20.  The prosecution sought to place him in pre-trial detention. He has no prior convictions, but also allegedly filmed and broadcast images from the incident, according to the prosecutor. 

After his hearing, he was released, with the judge placing him under judicial supervision while the investigation continues. He cited the fact that he “has no criminal record and leads a fairly integrated life in society,” indicating the boy may in fact be a migrant. 

The mayor of Perpignan, home to some 120,000 residents, has also been in the news, as he was sentenced along with Marine Le Pen in her recent embezzlement scandal. Perpignan is the largest city with a National Rally mayor. Louis Aliot will serve 18 months in prison and three years of ineligibility to run for public office.

It is largely seen that Le Pen and the National Rally party have been targeted due to their anti-migration stance and conservative views. Le Pen was leading the polls for France’s next presidential election.