A new accusation of rape concerning an elected mayor of Paris fell on Thursday. On Twitter, a young man accused the Parisian Communist adviser Maxime Cochard as well as his spouse: “After more than 2 years without knowing how to put the words on what happened to me, I realize that I was raped”, he posted on the social network explaining that he was then 18 years old and that he was “Particularly vulnerable”. “I decide to speak about it publicly because I see to what extent these people take more and more importance within the PCF and responsibilities to the City of Paris”, he adds. It also evokes “A hand to the buttocks by surprise”, “A few months ago”. And to specify: “I have not yet decided on the consequences of all this but I hope that it is known and that people become fully aware of the actions of these people”.
“This is a totally false accusation”, replied the elected PCF on the same network. “Given the seriousness of such comments and their slanderous nature, I instructed my lawyer to immediately initiate legal action for defamation”, he also announced.
But these accusations could once again inflame the Parisian majority, which has already seen two alleged cases of sexual assault and harassment. The first concerns the Paris advisor and former right-hand man of Anne Hidalgo, Christophe Girard. The latter, driven to resign in mid-July by elected EELV, is under investigation for rape of a minor man at the time of the events described. Socialist Pierre Aidenbaum, former deputy at the Seine, also stepped back after an accusation of sexual harassment by a collaborator of the city of Paris.
As soon as the accusations against Maxime Cochard were posted, the EELV advisor, very involved in issues of gender equality and sexual violence, Raphaëlle Rémy-Leuleu reacted: “My reaction is always the same and (the person concerned) knows it: I believe it, I support it and I offered my help. “
For its part, the Paris federation of the PCF, while recalling that Maxime Cochard and his spouse “Both benefit from the presumption of innocence”, asked them to “withdraw from all responsibilities” within it. Believing that the “Justice must now shed light on these serious accusations”, she also judges that the chosen one must “To withdraw from the Council of Paris”. “The internal system of the PCF” Stop Violence “carried out in partnership with the Feminist Collective Against Rape (CFCV), has been made available to the victim, who will be able to benefit from psychological support and assistance in filing a complaint. “, also specify those responsible for training in a press release in which they provide their “Full support for the victim whose testimony upsets (them)”. The members of this system against sexual violence will also have to submit their recommendations to the PCF bodies in charge of ruling on any internal sanctions.
