Former Deputy Mayor Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexual Crimes
Morad Aggoun, the former deputy mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape, assault, and sexual harassment. The Loire Assize Court of Appeal delivered the verdict on December 11, 2024, after Aggoun fled to Algeria just two days before the trial commenced on December 5 in Saint-Étienne. The court found him guilty of committing these acts against three secretaries while serving as the 2nd deputy mayor under PS mayor Hélène Geoffroy and as a metropolitan councilor for Greater Lyon.
In addition to the prison sentence, Aggoun faces 10 years of ineligibility, 10 years of deprivation of civil rights, and a five-year prohibition from holding any public office. His initial sentence in September 2023 was 10 years, but the appeal trial resulted in an increased penalty.
Aggoun's legal team argued for his acquittal, claiming his flight was a reaction of panic rather than guilt. However, the prosecution has issued an arrest warrant for him, as he remains at large in Algeria.
Reactions to the Verdict
The verdict has been met with strong reactions from the victims and their legal representatives. Bernard Sayn, a lawyer for two of the victims, condemned Aggoun's flight as a “cowardly and absolutely contemptuous attitude” towards the victims and the judicial process. The lawyers representing the civil parties criticized the mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin for not taking decisive action despite being alerted to Aggoun's inappropriate behavior as early as 2014.
During the trial, a female assistant testified that she had advised secretaries on how to behave to secure employment under Aggoun, indicating that his misconduct was known within the local government. The emotional response from the victims was palpable, with one stating her determination to attend every day of the hearing, reflecting the broader impact of Aggoun's actions on the victims' lives.
