Sébastien Delogu is the subject of a complaint filed by police officers for "contempt," an investigation has been opened in Marseille.

Sébastien Delogu, the LFI (La France Insoumise) deputy for Bouches-du-Rhône, is the subject of a complaint for "contempt" filed by Marseille police officers following an altercation that occurred Monday in the 2nd arrondissement of Marseille. The elected official disputes their version of events and has filed his own complaint. The Marseille public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation.

Three police officers from the Interdepartmental Public Transport Security Service were responding to a report of a luxury watch theft when they encountered Sébastien Delogu outside his building. According to their account, the member of parliament attempted to prevent them from entering the building before making insulting remarks, even declaring, "I am the Republic." The suspect wanted in connection with the theft was eventually apprehended.

Two radically opposed versions

Sébastien Delogu denies having uttered that phrase. His lawyer maintains that the altercation primarily involved the MP and a man in civilian clothes who did not immediately identify himself as a police officer. In a letter addressed to the police prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône, the elected official asserts that he himself was insulted, provoked, and then shoved by this officer.

The MP has therefore filed a complaint against persons unknown for "intentional violence and acts committed by individuals claiming to be police officers." He is also requesting that the identities of the officers involved be established and that the IGPN (General Inspectorate of the National Police) be notified. CCTV footage from the building could now shed light on the sequence of events of this altercation, on which the courts will have to determine the conflicting accounts.