A renowned researcher, dismissed in 2017 by the CNRS, was sentenced on Monday July 4 to 18 months in prison, including six months in prison, for moral and sexual harassment and sexual assault of two women at the Mediterranean Infection University Hospital Institute (IHU) directed by Didier Raoult.
Read alsoNovember 13: can we say that Salah Abdeslam is sentenced to "life in prison"?
The prison term will be served under an electronic bracelet and has been accompanied by a 12-month probationary sentence, the court announced.
Brilliant researcher whose research on an immortal worm had earned him international fame, Eric Ghigo, 49, admitted "
reprehensible remarks
" during the hearing on May 5 but denied having sexually assaulted the two complainants.
Then director of an IHU laboratory, he was prosecuted for remarks such as "
good girls, it's 4 p.m., it's time for the pipe, who's the one who sticks to it
" , or even "
you are charming... you will have to go under the desk
".
“I have never slept with a pregnant woman”
The two women who joined as civil parties also described acts of sexual abuse.
A young Tunisian student who came in 2015 to do her end-of-studies internship explained that Eric Ghigo “
became pleasant when he started touching me, caressing me.
There was then no more reproach about the work
”.
For fear of not validating her diploma, the young woman had remained silent.
Read also“At the hospital, there are a lot more shirkers than before”
An engineer with whom Eric Ghigo had maintained a friendship before it degenerated said that she pretended not to hear when her "
boss
" threw at her during her pregnancy: "
I never slept with a pregnant woman
”.
“
You are angry, gravelly but no more than what is practiced in medical circles.
But never an ambiguous touch?
“, had noted the president of the court Pierre Jeanjean, summarizing the position of the defendant.
Informed of the situation, Didier Raoult had moved his office two floors lower to an open space.
Eric Ghigo is appealing the decision
At the hearing, the ex-researcher had received the support of several witnesses who spoke of a possible conspiracy and a form of jealousy on the part of his superior.
His defender Me Brice Grazzini had demanded his release for a file according to him "
full of contradictions and questions
", the facts judged intervening at a difficult period marked by the illness of his wife.
Contacted on Monday, he indicates that his client is appealing this decision.
The court noted that the offending remarks were confirmed by other witnesses.
Read alsoEthics: Didier Raoult's IHU brought to heel by the ANSM
Under the obligations of the probationary suspension, the court imposed for two years an obligation to work, care, to compensate the victims and a ban on any supervisory function.
He will also have to pay damages to the two young women.
