An imam from Gard suspected of rape: after a first complaint was filed, a second has just been filed by a lawyer

La justice a classé la première plainte contre l’imam. Une deuxième a été déposée par une avocate. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Un religieux est visé par une deuxième plainte pour abus sexuels. Une première plainte avait été classée par le parquet de Nîmes pour infractions insuffisamment caractérisée.

For several weeks, a rumor had been circulating about the alleged actions of an imam from Gard, without the authorities being able to confirm that an investigation or complaint had been filed.

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This Monday, December 23, two pieces of information were confirmed about this case, which had indeed given rise to the opening of an investigation after an initial complaint was filed, following events that allegedly occurred in April 2024. The investigations were supervised by the Nîmes public prosecutor's office. However, analysis of the file led to the case being closed without further action. Contacted by telephone, Cécile Gensac, the public prosecutor of Nîmes, confirmed this classification without further action because the offence “was insufficiently characterised”, indicated the head of the prosecution.

But another piece of information officially confirmed the existence of a second complaint, dated December 12, 2024, and filed with the Nîmes judicial court by Laurence Bourgeon, the plaintiff's lawyer.

Photos of the naked imam have circulated

Images of the naked imam have also reportedly circulated and been submitted to the investigation service. Laurence Bourgeon indicated on Monday that she intended to submit new evidence to the proceedings. A judicial source urged caution regarding the strength of the evidence alleged by the plaintiff, who contacted our editorial staff on Monday. She said she had been subject to a compulsory hospitalization measure for alleged violence issues. Her lawyer added that she was considering intervening to have the measure lifted. A judge of liberties and detention could be brought in to review the situation.

The complainant claims to have suffered sexual abuse from the imam and even photographed him while he was naked. She maintains her accusations and appears helpless and weakened. She is also allegedly implicated in a case of violence that she disputes, as well as the hospitalization measure in a psychiatric facility.

As for the imam, he was the subject of an initial decision to dismiss the case without further action. Unless new evidence emerges, the courts could confirm their initial analysis and dismiss the second complaint. For her part, Me Bourgeon, the complainant's lawyer, stressed the difficulties for a woman to make her voice heard. This is all the more so since she has a poor command of French.

Everyone is presumed innocent until justice has been definitively served. In this case, there is no charge against the imam who has already been cleared of the accusations against him. I subscribe to read more