Former French Senator Faces Court Over Alleged MDMA Drink Spiking of MP
A former French senator has appeared before a Paris court, standing trial on serious charges of drugging a fellow politician with the intent to commit sexual assault. The case has sent shockwaves through the French political establishment, highlighting concerns about drug-facilitated crimes in high-profile circles.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Joël Guerriau, aged 68, served as a centrist senator for Loire-Atlantique in western France until his resignation in October last year. The prosecution alleges that in November 2023, he spiked a glass of champagne with MDMA before serving it to Sandrine Josso, a 50-year-old centrist member of parliament from the MoDem party.
According to Josso's testimony, she experienced severe physical symptoms including heart palpitations, intense nausea, and difficulty maintaining her balance after consuming the drink. Despite these alarming effects, she managed to escape from Guerriau's apartment, later describing how she summoned "the last of my strength and survival instinct" to flee the situation.
Legal Charges and Defence Position
Guerriau faces multiple serious charges including drug possession, drug use, and the clandestine administration of a substance designed to alter discernment with the aim of committing rape or sexual assault. The former senator has firmly denied any intention to commit sexual assault, with his legal representative previously suggesting that the drink was served accidentally.
The legal consequences could be substantial, with drug-facilitated sexual assault carrying a potential prison sentence of up to five years, while the drug possession charge alone could result in a decade behind bars.
Victim's Account and Political Response
Sandrine Josso has provided detailed accounts of the evening in question, explaining that Guerriau, whom she had known for years and considered a friend, had invited her to celebrate his re-election to the senate. Initially planning to meet at a restaurant, the location was unexpectedly changed to his home, where she found him alone despite expecting other guests.
Josso described Guerriau's behaviour as increasingly peculiar, noting that he repeatedly encouraged her to drink through multiple toasts. She recalled noticing a distinctive taste in the champagne and observing a suspicious sachet near the glasses in the kitchen. Her symptoms escalated rapidly, leading her to fear she might suffer cardiac arrest.
Using a mobile application, Josso managed to summon a taxi to the national assembly, where parliamentary colleagues assisted her and called for medical attention. She subsequently contacted Yaël Braun-Pivet, leader of the lower house of parliament, who helped facilitate the filing of a formal police complaint.
Broader Implications and Activism
Since the alleged incident, Sandrine Josso has emerged as a significant figure in France's campaign against drug-facilitated sexual violence. She has played a leading role in parliamentary investigations into drug-related sexual crimes and co-authored an important report on drug-facilitated abuse.
Josso has also joined awareness campaigns established by Caroline Darian, whose mother Gisèle Pelicot gained international recognition in 2024 for waiving anonymity rights during a trial involving multiple rape convictions after being drugged by her former husband.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The Paris court is expected to examine detailed evidence including Guerriau's internet search history in the days preceding the alleged offence. The trial continues to attract significant attention, reflecting growing public concern about substance-assisted assaults and the need for stronger protective measures.
This case represents a critical moment in French legal and political circles, potentially influencing future legislation and awareness campaigns regarding drug-facilitated sexual violence across the country.
