French judge investigates ex-EU border chief for complicity in crimes against humanity

Politics

French judge investigates ex-EU border chief for complicity in crimes against humanity

1 hour ago

News sources:

THELOCAL

LEMONDE

REUTERS

French judge investigates ex-EU border chief for complicity in crimes against humanity

Credited from: LEMONDE

Fabrice Leggeri faces investigation over allegations of crimes against humanity.
The Human Rights League filed a complaint regarding pushbacks of asylum seekers.
34,000 asylum seekers have died or gone missing in Mediterranean crossings since 2014.

A French judge will investigate allegations against Fabrice Leggeri, former head of the European Union border agency, Frontex, accused of complicity in crimes against humanity. This follows a complaint filed by the Human Rights League (LDH) in 2024, claiming he encouraged the interception of migrant boats by Libyan and Greek authorities, leading to "thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean", as noted by LDH lawyer Emmanuel Daoud according to The Local, Le Monde, and Reuters.

The investigation was authorized after the Paris Court of Appeal found sufficient grounds. Approximately 34,000 asylum seekers have died or vanished since 2014 while attempting to cross the Mediterranean, the deadliest migration route globally, according to the International Organization for Migration. LDH stated this case marks a significant judicial examination of Leggeri's role during his tenure from 2015-2022, which coincided with a peak in the migrant crisis according to The Local, Le Monde, and Reuters.

If prosecutors seek to indict Leggeri, they will need to have his immunity as a member of the European Parliament waived, a process requiring parliamentary approval according to Reuters.