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Trial of the assassination of the policeman of the Champs-Elysées: the great dignity of those close to Xavier Jugelé

2021-06-11T00:02:03.458Z


At the trial this Thursday of the four men suspected to varying degrees of having supplied the weapon to the terrorist, the relatives of the policeman shot dead a s


Cold anger rather than emotion. Invited to testify this Thursday morning, the relatives of Xavier Jugelé, this policeman executed by a terrorist on the Champs-Élysées on April 20, 2017, did not want to display their sorrow in front of the professional magistrates of the specially composed Assize Court. "I do not intend to revive the intimacy of a drama," warns Étienne Cardiles, the companion of the deceased whose life he had shared for six years. “My brother, it's personal,” adds Yannick, Xavier Jugelé's little brother, shoulder-length hair and a denim jacket. Their eyes are more turned towards the box of the accused.

Of the four men on trial since the start of the week, only one is appearing for a criminal terrorist qualification, the other three being accused only of breaches of the laws on weapons. All are suspected, to varying degrees, of having provided his Kalashnikov to Karim Cheurfi, the author of this attack, shot dead after his action. "Fortunately because otherwise it may be I who would have found myself in the box of the accused", boldly claims Michel Jugelé, the father of the killed officer, a former professional soldier.

Sparing with words, the witnesses who take the stand oscillate between their visceral respect for institutions and the disgust that this crime has provoked in them. "Very early on, I had to decide on a possible prosecution against the State", indicates Étienne Cardiles, who points to the release of Karim Cheurfi, sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2005 for having already tried to attack a police officer in 2001 in a common law case. And even if he reserves a pick against the magistrate who made the decision - "in my opinion he did not enter the magistracy to make victims" - this diplomat clings to his sense of public service. "I do not see how the State would have been safer," he said, explaining that he had given up on an action which, moreover, one can wonder about the chances of success.

"I am fiercely attached to the rule of law"

After spending 37 years under the flags, Michel Jugelé insists on his pride in the career of his eldest son who, after studying hypokhâgne in Tours (Indre-et-Loire), had chosen to engage in the gendarmerie then the police. “We were both attached to serving the country in our own way,” explains this 66-year-old man who, every week, visits Xavier's grave. “I want justice to be done,” he continues. I trust the state and its institutions. I am not saying that the accused are terrorists because I cannot prove it. (…) I let you judge because it is your role. Étienne Cardiles also addresses the magistrates. "I am fiercely attached to the rule of law and I hope for a fair decision," he breathes, strapped into his gray suit.I hope that this Assize Court will rule in favor of the security of the State and of the Republic. "

His brief 10-minute presentation completed, Étienne Cardiles returned to his seat when President Laurent Raviot called him back to the bar to make him comment on personal photos. Memories of trips to Crete or family meals scroll across the screen. Then appears this famous portrait of Xavier Jugelé in uniform that the police headquarters had released after his assassination. The photo appears this time in a wide shot: the policeman is in fact holding a young boy by the shoulders. “He is alongside my son,” reveals Étienne Cardiles. They pose in front of my supervisory administration because that day Xavier was securing the Quai d'Orsay. This photo has great significance for me. The emotion, so far contained, is emerging.

Source: leparis

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