Its name echoes many political-judicial soap operas. Former investigating judge, Renaud Van Ruymbeke died on Friday May 10 at the age of 71, announced the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti. “France loses a great magistrate and justice an immense servant,” lamented the Keeper of the Seals.
Retired since 2019, this great football fan, also a distinguished pianist, was one of the emblematic judges in the fight against corruption in France and has investigated some of the most sensitive political-financial cases of recent decades.
Among his instructions are notably the Urba affair, on the hidden financing of the Socialist Party, investigations into Jérôme Cahuzac and the Balkany couple, the Clearstream and Elf affairs, and even the complex affair of the Taiwan frigates. In 2008, he also led the investigation into the giant frauds of Société Générale trader Jérôme Kerviel.
“There is a lot of money at our doors and no one is doing anything,” he regretted during the last interview given to Agence France-Presse, in November 2022. He called for “the need to take action.” conscience”, “at a time when States have significant deficits, big needs for hospitals, for the energy transition”.
“He embodied the image of the independent and courageous investigating judge, and will leave an indelible mark in the judicial history of our country,” reacted on X Rémy Heitz, attorney general at the Court of Cassation.
