France: Macron’s minister charged with two counts of rape

Damien Abad, recently appointed by Emanuel Macron French Minister of Solidarity and Persons with Disabilities, categorically denied that he has rape two women after the accusations were published today by the Mediapart website through an article based on interviews with the complainants.

The rape incidents took place at the end of 2010

The women, cited by Mediapart, claim that Abad forced them to have sex with him and that they say these incidents happened in late 2010 and early 2011.

“Mutual consensus,” Abad said

One of the two had reported him to the police in 2017, but the complaint was rejected without any action, according to the website and Abad himself.

“I categorically challenge these allegations of sexual violence. “The sex I have always had in my life was by mutual consent,” he said.

He explained that his condition, called arthroplasty – a congenital neuromuscular syndrome characterized by severe generalized joint contractions, muscle weakness and fibrosis – made it physically impossible for him to commit what he was guilty of.

Abad was sworn in as Minister of Solidarity and People with Disabilities on Friday

Abad joined the government that was formed on Friday after the re-election of the president Emanuel Macron.

Asked to comment on the allegations against Abad, Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne said she did not know them when she joined the government.

“Everything is open – we will see what happens,” said Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne.

“I will be clear: for all these issues of harassment, of sexual assault, there can be no immunity and we must continue to work so that women who may be victims of assault, harassment, can speak freely,” Bourne replied. and added that her government would take the consequences of Abad’s appointment “if new evidence emerges and a new case is opened”.