The controversy surrounding the refusal of marriage between the Mayor of Béziers Robert Ménard and Mustapha B., an Algerian national under OQTF whom he had refused to marry, has taken a new turn. Vanessa Edberg, Mustapha B.'s lawyer, stated on Europe 18 on Tuesday 1 February that her client had no criminal record, presenting his B1, B2 and B3 certificates as clean. She had even announced a complaint for defamation against the Mayor of Béziers. But the reality is quite different.
Court records that Entrevue was able to consult reveal that Mustapha B. was indeed sentenced on September 22, 2021 to eight months in prison, suspended, for violent robbery in a group. The latter, accompanied by an accomplice, had attacked a shopkeeper and stolen his bank card, resulting in a total incapacity for work (ITT) of less than eight days. This conviction, entered in the criminal record, directly contradicts the statements of his lawyer.
The regional newspaper Midi Libre confirmed this information in an article published on Wednesday, February 19, thus reinforcing the suspicions of lies weighing on Mustapha B's defense. Questioned on this subject, Vanessa Edberg simply declared that "this affair has no impact on the case", whereas she stated the day before on Pascal Praud's microphone that no conviction existed. This contradiction seriously undermines her credibility.
For his part, Robert Ménard is sticking to his guns. He defends his refusal to celebrate a marriage involving a person under OQTF and convicted of violence. He points out that as a civil registrar, he must apply the law, but that as a judicial police officer, he also has the mission of preserving public order. A dilemma that legislation could soon resolve: the Senate is due to examine this Thursday, February 20, a bill aimed at prohibiting mayors from marrying illegal immigrants.
Faced with these revelations, the case brought against the mayor of Béziers is faltering. Vanessa Edberg's sudden turnaround, who no longer mentions the defamation complaint, speaks volumes about the fragility of her argument. Far from the indignation that was announced, this case is now taking on the appearance of a major setback for those who wanted to make Robert Ménard an ideal culprit.
