The Paris Court of Appeal has opened an investigation into the alleged involvement of Fabrice Leggeri, the former head of the European Union’s border agency Frontex, in crimes against humanity, Reuters reports.
After human rights groups accused Frontex of inhumane treatment of migrants at the EU’s external borders under Leggeri’s leadership, he resigned as head of the agency in 2022.
Leggeri, who is currently a member of the European Parliament and represents France’s far-right National Alliance (RN) party, has denied the charges. He declined to comment on the situation on the 24th of March, saying he was not aware of the court’s decision to open an investigation. If prosecutors seek to indict Leggeri,
they will also have to request the lifting of his diplomatic immunity, which will have to be voted on by the EP.
A Paris court has decided to open an investigation following an appeal by the French League for Human Rights (LDH) and the migrant rights group Utopia 56. The judge had previously ruled to dismiss the complaint against Leggeri.
Human rights groups have accused Leggeri of encouraging Frontex to help Libyan and Greek authorities intercept migrant boats to prevent them from reaching the EU. The appeals court ruled that there are grounds to open an investigation.
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