Analysis
14 July 2020

French Prosecutor opened an investigation into potential mismanagement during the Covid-19 crisis

Bastille Day Newsletter 2020 - 3-lines outline of some noteworthy events

 

In response to many criminal complaints, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal investigation regarding the alleged mismanagement of the Covid-19 crisis [1].

The investigation will examine the following charges: endangering the lives of others, involuntary homicide, failure to assist those in danger, and willingly abstaining from fighting a threat [2].

A number of these complaints have been filed against X. Therefore, it remains up to the prosecutors to assess whether public decision-makers or administrative structures should be prosecuted.

Concurrently, complaints have been lodged against ministers before the Court of Justice of the Republic (“Cour de Justice de la République”), which has sole jurisdiction over ministers’ actions as part of their government duties [3]. The French President, on account of his presidential immunity, will not be included in the investigation carried out by the court [4].

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