Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities from May to July 2022 and targeted by rape charges, Damien Abad announced that he had “been informed by the prosecution of an opening of a judicial investigation” concerning him. The former member of the Republicans, however, clarified that he “strongly” disputes these accusations.
The deputy of Ain indicates in a press release “wishes (r) to be heard quickly by the investigating magistrate in order to defend himself against despicable accusations, which he strongly contests”.
In his press release, he “recalls that a first in-depth investigation was the subject of a particularly reasoned dismissal. Moreover, the confrontation requested by the investigators after the hearing of Damien Abad and with the agreement of the latter, never took place”. The former minister was heard on June 7 in police custody, from which he emerged free the same evening.
Justice had requested two weeks earlier the lifting of his parliamentary immunity as part of the preliminary investigation in Paris. Damien Abad said he himself was “in favor” and the immunity was lifted unanimously by the office of the National Assembly.
With the opening of a judicial investigation, it is an examining magistrate who is in charge of the case.
The former head of LR deputies was appointed in May 2022 Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities, taken from President Emmanuel Macron on the right. The day after his appointment, Mediapart relayed accusations of rape against him, dating from 2010 and 2011. The complaints were closed in 2012 and then 2017.
But at the end of June 2022, a complaint was once again filed, leading to the opening of the preliminary investigation. A judicial investigation was opened on June 21 against him on charges of rape and attempted rape, a judicial source confirmed to AFP. Damien Abad had finally left the executive at the beginning of July 2022. Re-elected in the meantime as deputy for a third term, he has since been discreet at the Palais Bourbon.
