Former insurance magnate Jacques Bouthier could face trial for rape and trafficking of a minor. The public prosecutor's office has requested that he be sent to trial in a criminal court following the investigation into the founder of the Assu 2000 group, now renamed Vilavi. It is now up to the investigating judges to decide on the next steps in the proceedings. The businessman remains presumed innocent.
The case broke in May 2022 following a complaint filed by a young woman. She accused Jacques Bouthier of subjecting her to sexual violence and a system of control over her for several years while she was a minor. The former executive was notably indicted for rape of a minor over 15 years of age, human trafficking of a minor, procuring a minor for prostitution, and sexual assault of a minor under 15 years of age.
The decision rests with the investigating judges.
The prosecutor's recommendations do not constitute a conviction or a final referral to a court. Investigating magistrates must now determine whether the evidence gathered is sufficiently serious to warrant a trial. They may follow all or part of the prosecutor's requests or dismiss certain charges.
Jacques Bouthier was initially held in pretrial detention before being released in March 2023 for medical reasons. He was then placed under judicial supervision and required to post bail of €500,000. If his trial is ordered, it will have to establish the responsibilities of each individual and allow the different parties to present their versions of events.
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