Questioned on Wednesday in Calais, a man born in 1990 was committed for trial on Friday, September 18 in the case of the pig’s head left at the home of Christian Estrosi in Nice. Three charges were brought against him, including “incitement to hatred or violence.” The suspect was placed in provisional detention.
A new suspect was committed for trial in the pig’s head case left at Christian Estrosi’s private home in Nice on February 27 last. Questioned on Wednesday in Calais on a search warrant, the man born in 1990 was presented to the investigating magistrate this Friday, September 18.
According to the Nice public prosecutor’s office, the suspect holds British and Tunisian nationality. Stating that he is domiciled in London, the man works as a business executive. The hearing notably made it possible to establish that the suspect admits to knowing certain individuals already implicated in the proceedings.
The main recognized element concerns the purchase of the pig’s head. The suspect admitted to having “directly participated in the purchase of the pig’s head.” However, he contests any involvement in unlawful acts.
Three charges brought
Presented to the courts under a summons, the suspect was committed for trial for “participation in a criminal association with a view to committing one or more offenses punishable by less than five years”, “incitement to hatred or violence” and “violence against an elected official.” In accordance with the requisitions of the Nice public prosecutor’s office, provisional detention was then ordered.
The case began on February 27, during the campaign for municipal elections. A pig’s head had been left at the home of Christian Estrosi and his wife. An insulting banner and a Star of David accompanied the pig’s head.
Two people suspected of having organized the commando were actively being searched for. The arrest made in Calais therefore constitutes a new step in the investigations conducted by the judicial authorities.
Four other individuals already committed for trial
Four other individuals have already been committed for trial in this proceedings. Two men of Tunisian nationality were arrested in early March. Two people close to the Estrosi couple were also implicated, including a former police officer from the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DST). Four other individuals had furthermore been placed in police custody, including two women, without a commitment for trial being announced concerning them.
The investigations continue in order to determine precisely the responsibilities of each person in this case. The suspect arrested in Calais remains presumed innocent.
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