French justice authorities are set to examine the role of former Frontex director Fabrice Leggeri in migrant deaths in the Mediterranean, following a decision by the Paris Court of Appeal to open a judicial investigation.
The move marks the first time French investigating judges will assess whether Leggeri could bear criminal responsibility in connection with policies alleged to have contributed to thousands of migrant deaths at sea. The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by the Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH), an NGO that accuses the former Frontex chief of overseeing a deadly enforcement strategy at Europe’s borders.
As reported by AFP, LDH lawyer Emmanuel Daoud said the case would examine “the conditions of the possible criminal responsibility of Fabrice Leggeri in the carnage that resulted in thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean, including children and women.”
In response to a request for comment, Leggeri’s team told Remix News, “Mr. Leggeri and his lawyers were not aware of this decision. At this stage, there is no comment to be made.”
Leggeri led Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, from January 2015 until April 2022. During his tenure, the agency faced repeated criticism from left-wing NGOs, which accused it of tolerating or facilitating “pushbacks,” where migrants are intercepted and returned without access to asylum procedures.
According to the LDH complaint, Leggeri is alleged to have encouraged practices that enabled Libyan and Greek authorities to intercept migrant boats, rather than allowing them to reach NGO vessels to be brought ashore. The group claims this amounted to a deliberate policy aimed at preventing migrant arrivals “whatever the cost.”
After a two-year legal process, the Paris Court of Appeal ruled on March 18 that there were sufficient grounds to proceed, stating there was reason to investigate the facts presented in the complaint. The opening of a judicial investigation means an examining magistrate will now assess the substance and admissibility of the allegations.
At this stage, no charges have been filed against Leggeri, and the presumption of innocence applies.
Since leaving Frontex, Leggeri has entered politics, joining the National Rally and securing election as an MEP in 2024. At the time of joining the party, he said his goal was “to regain control of the borders of the European Union and France.”
The case draws comparisons to legal proceedings against Matteo Salvini, who faced trial over his decision to block a migrant rescue vessel from docking in Italy in 2019. Salvini was acquitted in 2024 after prosecutors had sought a prison sentence, with the Italian politician describing the case as politically motivated.
Leggeri has previously commented on his time as Frontex director, accusing European Commission Ylva Johansson of telling him his job was to welcome migrants.
“When I looked through her CV before our first meeting, I thought, ‘She’s probably impossible to work with.’ But she was a commissioner and had real influence. At our first meeting, I explained to her what we were doing — developing a European border and coast guard, with uniforms and weapons, and why we were experiencing some delays. She interrupted me and said, ‘You don’t need weapons and uniforms.’ Because, as she said, the role of the border guard is to welcome migrants,” Leggeri said last year.
