Attempted theft of a dictaphone: release requested for the mayor of Saint-André-de-Valborgne, Régis Bourelly

REGIS BOURELLY MAIRE DE SAINT ANDRE DE VALBORGNE Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

LE PROCUREUR ABDELKRIM GRINI Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Un enregistreur, volé ou simplement déplacé, selon les versions, est au cœur d’un intense débat judiciaire.

Maire de Saint-André-de-Valborgne depuis 2001, Régis Bourelly a été confronté pendant six ans à une opposante de caractère, Camille Halut. De nombreux incidents ont émaillé les conseils municipaux.

Thus, the opponent filed 27 administrative procedures and several criminal complaints. The latest concerns the alleged theft of a dictaphone placed on the table of the municipal council, in September 2015. "The recording of municipal councils is part of transparency of public life. It’s the whole point of this trial to set limits to the behavior of elected officials", believes Camille Halut.

"Criminal justice is not a forum"

His counsel, Me Julie Péladan continues: "The mayor considers himself the master of the village. With opposition to which he was not accustomed, and which he did not accept, he felt the situation slipping away from him. He is filmed stealing the dictaphone. If the decision of the day is symbolic, it is important that opposition must be respected."

At the bar of the criminal court, this Friday, the mayor tries to explain the particular context in which the municipal debates are held: "The atmosphere is deleterious. It was the circus, we had cameras, microphones. I just moved the dictaphone. I'm 71 years old, I'm not going to fly at my age!"

Régis Bourelly insists on the deleterious nature of discussions against the backdrop of old disputes: "I’have been to the Nîmes administrative court 26 times! I've been through hell."

His lawyer, Me François Jehanno, supports: "We have a “victim” who does not own the dictaphone since the device was paid for by his mother. There is no intention to steal and no witnesses. The opponent concedes, in proceedings, that the recorder was moved when everyone was putting away their things at the end of the session. The dictaphone was found under documents. Relaxation is essential."

The decision rendered next April

This is confirmed by Abdelkrim Grini, the representative of the public prosecutor. Before presenting his requisitions, the prosecutor warns: "I take responsibility for my comments. I don't hide behind my magistrate's robe. I'm one of those who say things."

Sharp, the head of the Alesian prosecution attacks: "Criminal justice is not a forum. We are there to resolve disputes and make decisions. Justice must not be exploited. I can't stand it when we settle scores by ricochet. This is the feeling I have in this file. The mayor has a particular conception of democracy ? This is not our problem. That's settled at the ballot box. With its untimely determination to launch procedures at all costs, the civil party also has an astonishing conception of democracy. We do not live in a society where vigilantes have their place. 27 actions to the administrative court, 26 procedures rejected. The prosecutor at the time dismissed the complaint. At the end of the investigation, he requested dismissal of the case. On two occasions, the facts were not characterized. This context must be taken into account. There is a doubt. The mayor did not want to steal the recorder but only to annoy his opponent."

And the prosecutor asked for his release. The decision will be made next April.

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