Saint-Étienne sextape case: Gaël Perdriau promises new revelations during his appeal trial

The appeal trial of Gaël Perdriau opened this Monday before the Lyon Court of Appeal. The former mayor of Saint-Étienne, sentenced in the first instance to five years in prison, four of which were suspended, for blackmail involving a sex tape, criminal conspiracy, and embezzlement of public funds, maintains that he has new evidence that could prove his innocence.

Upon arriving at the courthouse, the 53-year-old former politician stated that "many new elements" would be presented during the proceedings. Remaining consistent with his defense, he denies all the charges against him and maintains that his conviction last December was a miscarriage of justice.

A case that is shaking up Saint-Étienne's political life

The case originated with a trap set in 2015 for Gilles Artigues, then first deputy mayor of Saint-Étienne. He was filmed without his knowledge in a Parisian hotel room with a young male prostitute. According to the prosecution, this video was subsequently used to pressure him and prevent him from distancing himself from the municipal majority.

Two co-defendants, former deputy mayor Samy Kéfi-Jérôme and his former partner Gilles Rossary-Lenglet, admitted to participating in setting up this scheme. They have maintained for several years that Gaël Perdriau was the mastermind behind the operation, something the former mayor continues to categorically deny.

Conflicting testimonies at the heart of the case

During the investigation and subsequent trial, several individuals argued that the video had been used as a means of political pressure. Gilles Rossary-Lenglet, who first brought the case to public attention in 2022, maintains his accusations and asserts that the former mayor had asked him to make the recording.

For his part, Gaël Perdriau acknowledges having been informed of the video's existence as early as 2015 but claims he never watched it. He maintains that he considered the matter to be a relationship between consenting adults and asserts that he never participated in any blackmail scheme.

A highly anticipated trial

This appeal represents a crucial step for the former mayor, who has already lost his office and spent several weeks in detention following his conviction. His lawyer intends to convince the court that the initial judgment was based on a misinterpretation of the facts.

The hearings are expected to continue for several days. They could allow for a detailed examination of each person's responsibilities in this case, which has become one of the most resounding political and judicial scandals of recent years.