Former Gard minister Damien Abad indicted for attempted rape

Former minister Damien Abad, accused of sexual violence by three women, was indicted this Thursday, May 16 in Paris for attempted rape in 2010 of one of them , AFP learned from a source close to the matter.

Accused of sexual violence by three women, Damien Abad was indicted this Thursday, May 16, for attempted rape in 2010 of one of them. The former Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and Disabled People, originally from Aubord in Gard, has been the target of an investigation since June 2022.

The deputy (related to Renaissance) of Ain was placed under the more favorable status of assisted witness for the two other women, who accuse him of having raped them in 2010 and in 2011.

He maintains his innocence

Mediapart relayed these accusations of rape against him quickly after his appointment. If the complaints had been filed in 2012 then 2017, another was filed in June 2022, leading to the opening of the preliminary investigation.

In a press release sent to AFP, the politician assured that he had "no doubt" that his "innocence" would be "confirmed at the&rsquo ;issue" of the investigations.

Before entering government, he was a municipal councilor in Vauvert on the list of mayor Gérard Gayaud in 2008. Then in 2012, he was the first disabled elected official to sit on the council. ;rsquo;Assembly. Damien Abad suffers from a rare disease, arthrogryposis, which blocks his joints and reduces his mobility.

More information to follow