French Senator Joel Guerriau has been ordered to stand trial over allegations that he drugged a fellow parliamentarian with the intention of carrying out a s3xual assault.
The 67-year-old lawmaker is accused of slipping MDMA (also known as ecstasy) into a glass of champagne consumed by Sandrine Josso, a 49-year-old parliamentary deputy. The incident allegedly took place in November 2023.
French media reports say two investigating magistrates concluded their inquiry and recommended prosecution based on evidence that Guerriau intended to r@pe or assault his colleague.
He is also facing a separate charge of illegal drug possession.
Guerriau, who has served in the French Senate since 2011, was suspended from the Horizons party, led by former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe shortly after charges were filed.
In response to the court’s decision, Guerriau’s legal team claimed their client has no fear of the truth and looks forward to clearing his name in court. They also dismissed the allegations as exaggerated.
Josso’s lawyer, Arnaud Godefroy, welcomed the development, saying it validates the seriousness of her complaint.
Guerriau has denied any intent to harm and said the drugging incident stemmed from what he described as a “handling error.
The case has sparked fresh conversations around s3xual violence in France, where recent high-profile trials have led to renewed demands for legislative reforms. The French Senate recently passed a new bill defining r@pe as any s3xual act without consent, a move intended to align the country’s laws with international standards.
Guerriau’s trial date is yet to be announced.
