Annecy: A rape complaint against the first deputy mayor has been dismissed.

The rape complaint filed against Anthony Granger, first deputy mayor of Annecy, has been dismissed. The decision was announced Friday by the public prosecutor's office and the municipality. The elected official will now resume all of his responsibilities within the municipal executive.

A preliminary investigation was opened on July 30 following a complaint from a young man. He accused Anthony Granger of forcing him into a non-consensual sexual relationship in the fall of 2023. Mayor Antoine Armand then placed his first deputy mayor on leave for the duration of the investigation.

A reintegration into the municipal executive

Following the dismissal of the complaint, the town hall decided to reinstate Anthony Granger to the municipal team. However, the precise date of his return has not been announced. The dismissal of the case brings the public prosecutor's investigation to a close at this stage, without preventing the complainant from pursuing other legal avenues available under criminal procedure.

The affair also sparked controversy surrounding the municipality. Reporters Without Borders suspected the town hall of attempting to limit the distribution of an issue of L'Essor Savoyard devoted to the accusations. The local weekly newspaper had recorded a 50% increase in sales, largely due to bulk purchases by unusual customers.