“As I speak to you, I am not in prison.
I haven't been beaten, I'm not tied up.
» According to our information, Guy Harlé d'Ophove, president of the Oise Departmental Federation of Hunters, was questioned for eight hours in police custody at the financial brigade of Lille (North).
The facts date back to January 15.
The Lille prosecutor ordered a preliminary investigation into him for alleged acts of illegal taking of interests.
Two other personalities from the rural world are also in the crosshairs: Jean-Michel Taccoen, vice-president of the Pas-de-Calais Hunters' Federation and Yves Butel, president of the Somme hunters.
The three men are also regional advisors and members of the Environment, Rurality, Hunting and Fishing Commission.
They are accused of having taken part in a vote for a subsidy of 220,000 euros whose beneficiaries were the five hunting federations of Hauts-de-France.
The investigation was opened following a complaint from a socialist elected official in the Region, Sarah Kerrich.
The regional advisor, whom we were unable to contact at this stage, had referred the matter to the ethics commission of the regional council in June 2022. She then noted a possible conflict of interest and opened up about it to the prosecutor of the Republic of Lille.
“I defend hunters, it’s not a scoop”
“This woman doesn’t like hunters,” snaps Guy Harlé from Ophove.
It is shameful that justice is being used for political purposes.
I and my colleagues are accused of having intervened on hunting issues in the Region in 2022." The case concerns, more precisely, a vote to grant subsidies for the nature clean-up operation called Clean Hauts-de-France.
“We actually presented the file, but we did not take part in the vote.
It was the president of the group who voted, insists the hunter from Oise.
I defend hunters, this is no news!
But that has nothing to do with that, we have no interest in that.
This is an environmental operation that brings together hunters, fishermen, schools and many volunteers.
We take trash bags and collect the waste.
»
With the prospect of a trial, the regional elected officials, if they were found guilty, would face a sentence of five years' imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 euros for this offense.
“I’m waiting for what happens next,” explains the hunter.
For the moment, I have not been indicted and I don't even know if it will lead to anything, it will depend on the prosecutor.
If so, I will be transparent.
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