The French ambassador to Vanuatu is accused of sexual assault. Robby Judes, appointed just four months ago to his post, is subject to two complaints filed to the Noumea prosecutor’s office in New Caledonia. The Quai d’Orsay summoned him to Paris to hear him. RFI was able to join one of his alleged victims.
The facts would have occurred during a banal dinner between business leaders and political representatives, eight days ago in Nouméa. But these first economic meetings between New Caledonia and Vanuatu are slipping according to the testimony of Chérifa Linossier, the president of the local Confederation of SMEs.
“ The ambassador passed right behind me, he touched my buttocks. At the time, I thought we were missing a little space so I did not pay more attention than that. He came back and at that moment, he stroked my back and buttocks besides, telling me that he wanted to see me again, „says Cherifa Linossier.
“ Ineligible “ facts
Shocked, Cherifa Linossier consults the next day his sisters members of other employers organizations present at these meetings. And she discovers that seven other women have also suffered sexual assault or verbal abuse of the same ambassador in recent months. There could be more casualties, according to Cherifa Linossier.
“ These are facts that are inadmissible and must be denounced, “ she says. So I hope that women who have not actually dared to speak out can testify and have no fear of expressing what happened . “
Complaints filed
Two complaints are filed. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts quickly. Ambassador Robby Judes is recalled to Paris, convened on Wednesday in the office of the Director General of Administration. His future will be discussed, in connection with the cabinet of Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
“ The case is taken seriously with the intention to take into account the gravity of the alleged facts and the presumption of innocence, “ says RFI a source of the Quai d’Orsay. RFI tried to reach the ambassador, to no avail for now.
