The case returns to the courts, after having agitated the political world of Marseille. This Friday, the former president of the Pointe-Rouge Yachting Club appears before the Marseille Criminal Court, after virulent and racist remarks made during a meeting. 20 minutes make the point.
What are the facts ?
On February 22, Christian Tommasini, volunteer president of the Pointe-Rouge Yachting club, south of Marseille, attended a meeting on the problems encountered in this port, which he was responsible for managing. This meeting is being held under the aegis of the metropolis of Aix-Marseille Provence, in the presence in particular of the LR vice-president of the metropolis Didier Réault and the deputy mayor Sophie Roques.
Referring to the problem of incivility at the Pointe-Rouge marina, Christian Tommasini makes racist and vehement remarks towards the “Arabs” present near the site. “The day we have to arm ourselves, I’ll be the first to go for the ratonnade!” “, He launches as well. During this same meeting, Christian Tommasini also complains to see according to him, in the parking lot of the port, “not a blond, a white, one who is well as it should be” but, on the contrary, “only Arabs! “.
Marsactu got a recording of this meeting, released last April, causing anger. “The remarks made by Mr. Tommasini are despicable, despicable and inadmissible,” says Alain Lhote, lawyer for the Maison des friends, who is a civil party in this case. There were ratonnades in Marseille in 1973. We expect a firm and exemplary decision from the court. This Friday, Christian Tommasini will have to answer for the facts of public provocations with the hatred and the discrimination because of the race as well as public insult because of the race.
What is Christian Tommasini’s line of defense?
According to our information, in front of the investigators, Christian Tommasini explained to have acted thus “out of anger”, in the face of a supposed inaction of the public authorities to fight against the incivility with which he said he was confronted at the time. “It is true that I was able to make certain remarks in order to attract the attention of the politicians and people of the metropolis”, present at this meeting, he explains to the police officers.
The former president of the Yachting club also pleads ignorance. “I was not aware of what the word ratonnade meant and when I learned it in an article by Provence, I was devastated and indignant at my words. “Christian Tommasini also explains having” telephoned [ses] bowler friends who are muslim for [s]’excuse’ the words he might have said. And to affirm: “You should know that I have in particular a Muslim friend with whom I am very close with whom I will eat in the hallal restaurants. It also happened to me to let him go to say his prayer in full game of bowls. “
“My client is deeply overwhelmed by all this and very sincerely regrets what he was able to verbalize,” says his lawyer, Me Jean Boudot. He took a step back from the case and realized the unacceptable nature of his comments. “
Are the facts public?
This will be one of the key points of this trial: the facts were revealed by the press, through a recording transmitted by one of the participants in a small committee meeting, and of which we still do not know today. identity. Therefore, the question of the public nature of these facts will be at the heart of a legal debate between the civil party and the defense. “The prosecution gave in to political and media pressure on this case by sending the file back to the criminal court, instead of qualifying the facts as” private “, which would have resulted in a fine before the police court, believes Me Boudot. He wanted to give the impression that the case was more serious by sending it back to the criminal court, and the possibility for associations to be able to become a civil party. But for me there is a nullity in the summons of my client. “
A point disputed by the lawyer for the civil party, Me Lhote. “When he talks about ratonnade, Mr. Tommasini says to the person taking notes of this meeting: ‘Take note!’. This is proof that he wanted his words to be public. And, anyway, the case was widely covered in the media. The hearing will open at 8:30 am in front of the eleventh chamber.