Placed in police custody this Tuesday morning in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, Wilfried Happio came out free in the evening after contesting the facts.
A complaint for sexual assault had been filed against the runner, vice-champion of Europe in the 400m hurdles in Munich (Germany) this year, for acts of sexual assault which would have been committed on another athlete resident of Insep , triple jump specialist.
"He was eager to have his version of the facts heard and was relieved to contest all the charges against him quite firmly," explained his lawyer, Maître Anthony Mottais to our colleagues from
L'Équipe
.
His police custody was lifted at the end of the day on Tuesday between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
“He came out free, there is no decision taken.
The case is sent to the public prosecutor's office, which has multiple choices.
We let justice do its thing.
We are just happy to have been able to make Wilfried's version of the facts heard.
He had never expressed himself, he reserved this version for the investigators, ”continued his lawyer.
Athletics: accused of sexual assault, French athlete Wilfried Happio in police custody
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This Tuesday's police custody also allowed a confrontation between the complainant and the 2022 French champion in the 400m hurdles.
“The confrontation was a necessary step.
A deep disagreement nevertheless remains on the nature, the course and the seriousness of the facts alleged against Wilfried Happio ”, reacted the lawyer for the complainant, master Lina Belkora, still at
L’Équipe
.
The facts she denounces date back to October 2021. After an appointment with one of their sponsors, several athletes – including Wilfried Happio and the young girl – went to the Insep balneotherapy.
According to the triple jumper, the 400m hurdles runner would have been in a hurry.
