Just days before the first round of municipal elections in Nice, the investigation into the discovery of a pig's head accompanied by anti-Semitic insults in front of the home of the mayor, Christian Estrosi, has taken a turn that could shake up the local election campaign.
According to Le Parisien and information provided by the prosecutor's office, The investigation is now focusing on the hypothesis of possible manipulation by people connected to the mayor's entourage.
A close associate of the Estrosi couple has been taken into custody. The public prosecutor of Nice, Damien Martinelli, stated in a press release that it concerns..."A man born in 1980, of French nationality, was arrested at his home in Nice."
This development marks an unexpected turning point in a case that, since the end of February, has fueled a heated political controversy in the capital of the French Riviera.
A suspect linked to the alleged perpetrators identified by CCTV
This man is believed to have been in telephone and physical contact with two Tunisian nationals, aged 36 and 38. Investigators suspect these men of having been part of a group of four individuals seen in a vehicle at the time of the incident.
The suspects were reportedly identified thanks to CCTV footage used in the investigation.
According to the newspaper, a staff member of Christian Estrosi, questioned as a witness, reportedly told investigators that she herself recruited the two Tunisian nationals. Their mission was allegedly to improve the visibility and image of the mayor of Nice on social media.
These revelations led investigators to examine more closely the links existing between the various protagonists and the mayor's entourage.
The investigation revealed Christian Estrosi's presence at several meetings.
The investigations also reportedly established that Christian Estrosi himself was in the presence of the two Tunisian nationals now suspected of having hung the pig's head in front of his home on at least three occasions.
However, two sources close to the case, when questioned, stated that it is not possible at this stage to confirm whether the mayor of Nice was aware of any possible operation related to these events.
Investigators are therefore continuing their investigations in order to determine precisely the responsibilities and circumstances in which the various protagonists may have met.
An investigation has been opened following the discovery of an anti-Semitic act on February 27th.
As a reminder, the case dates back to the evening of February 27, when Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice and former minister, discovered in front of his home a pig's head accompanied by a poster bearing a Star of David and an anti-Semitic insult.
The discovery immediately sparked outrage and unanimous condemnation from across the political spectrum. A judicial inquiry was promptly launched to identify the perpetrators and determine the motives behind this act.
Since then, the investigations have progressed rapidly under the authority of the Nice prosecutor's office.
Several people were taken into custody as part of the investigation.
The public prosecutor of Nice, Damien Martinelli, indicated that four new people had been questioned in this case.
The custody of two women born in 1963 and 1967 was lifted in the afternoon. However, that of two men was extended and could continue for up to forty-eight hours, the magistrate stated.
As the investigation continues, this case continues to fuel political tensions in Nice as the municipal elections approach, in a campaign that is already particularly contested.
