By a ruling dated January 26, 2018, the Criminal Division of the Paris Court of Appeal decided to overturn the decision of Mr. Choquet, the senior investigating judge of the Anti-Terrorism Division, declaring the City of Nice’s civil party application admissible following the attack on July 14, 2016.
The Court considered that the damages claimed, although accepted by the investigating judge, were not directly related to the alleged events.
For the city’s lawyer, Philippe Blanchetier, “this is a surprising decision, legally questionable and morally unfounded. I do not understand the Public Prosecutor’s insistence on excluding the municipality from the trial. I announce that the City has already lodged an appeal. Mayor Christian Estrosi believes that the city of Nice is indeed also a victim of this attack and will continue to ensure that this damage is recognized.”
