• Former senator Joël Guerriau convicted for drugging MP Sandrine Josso.
• Guerriau sentenced to four years in prison, with 30 months suspended.
• The case underscores ongoing issues of sexual violence in political contexts.
• Josso described long-lasting trauma from the incident.
• Guerriau plans to appeal the court's decision.

Joël Guerriau, a former French senator, has been found guilty of drugging MP Sandrine Josso with ecstasy in an attempt to sexually assault her. The Paris Criminal Court sentenced Guerriau to four years in prison, of which 18 months are to be served behind bars, along with a €5,000 fine payable to Josso for emotional distress. Following the verdict, Josso expressed her relief over the outcome, though Guerriau maintained that his actions were accidental, claiming he did not intend to harm her, according to BBC, Le Monde, and Reuters.

The court firmly rejected Guerriau's defense, stating that he knowingly administered MDMA to Josso without her consent, in an act intended to facilitate sexual assault. The conviction is particularly significant in the context of ongoing discussions about drug-facilitated sexual violence, especially following a similar high-profile case involving Dominique Pelicot, who was found guilty of drugging and raping his wife over many years, as reported by CBS News and Le Monde.

Josso testified that during a dinner at Guerriau's apartment, she began to feel unwell after consuming only a small amount of champagne from a glass he had served her. She described the experience as frightening and traumatic, stating that blood tests later indicated she had ingested a significantly high dose of MDMA, which was far above typical recreational levels. Court documents reveal that Guerriau conducted multiple internet searches related to drug use and sexual assault prior to the incident, raising questions about his intentions, according to BBC and Reuters.

Guerriau's sentencing included a five-year ban from holding public office and a mandatory treatment order, although the request to add him to the national sex offender registry was denied. His lawyers have announced plans to appeal the ruling, contesting the court's interpretation of his intent, according to Le Monde and Reuters.