BFM TV INFO – A woman, suspected of having played the role of tout for Jacques Bouthier, was released under judicial supervision. The main suspect remains in pre-trial detention.
Leïla R., indicted for aggravated pimping in the Jacques Bouthier case, was released from prison on Friday, December 23, and was placed under judicial supervision, BFMTV learned on Wednesday. After a request for release was rejected by the liberty and detention judge, she appealed against this decision and won her case before the investigating chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal.
This woman, represented by Me Ian Knafou, is suspected of having played the role of tout for Jacques Bouthier, by introducing him to the main victim, his own cousin, Fatima M., then 16 years old. Before the investigating judge at the end of October, Fatima M. explained that she had arrived in France from Morocco at the age of 14. According to her statements, Leïla introduced her to Jacques Bouthier, telling him that she could earn 200 euros by spending a few hours with him.
The suspect denies any involvement
Fatima M. then claims to have been subjected to non-consensual sexual intercourse with him. She even explains that she had to settle in an apartment in Noisy-le-Sec, loaned by Jacques Bouthier, where she was regularly forced to have sex with him in exchange for money. “I couldn’t do anything, I had no voice, I couldn’t say anything,” she explains. Charges that Leïla R. denies en bloc:
“I don’t know where she’s coming up with all this, but she’s very strong. Moroccan Spielberg.”
Jacques Bouthier, still in pre-trial detention
The respondent is also suspected of having introduced the former boss of Assu 2000 to another young woman who had a relationship with Jacques Bouthier. She claims to have lived for some time in the same apartment lent by the former CEO of the insurance company.
The 75-year-old wealthy businessman is accused of having set up a system allowing him to abuse young underage girls. He was indicted last May and placed in pre-trial detention after a preliminary investigation opened in mid-March, with five other people, in particular for “trafficking in human beings” and “rape of a minor”. At this stage, four victims have been identified by the Brigade for the Protection of Minors of the Parisian judicial police, reports RTL. The investigation is still ongoing and investigators are trying to find other potential victims.
