The founder of the Refuge, Nicolas Noguier, has been indicted for rape and sexual assault, said Fabrice Bélargent, the public prosecutor of Montpellier (Hérault) on Friday. Frédéric Gal, the former director of this association, which helps young homosexuals rejected by their families, has been indicted for two acts of sexual harassment.
They were also both indicted for concealed work and moral harassment of several employees and volunteers of the foundation, created in Montpellier in 2003.
Placed under judicial control
Both men were taken into custody on Tuesday. They disputed “all the facts of a sexual nature with which they are accused and produced elements in support of their statements, indicates the prosecutor. They also contested the facts of concealed work and moral harassment. They were placed under judicial control with, in particular, the prohibition to enter into contact with the complainants and to exercise an activity in contact with minors or vulnerable people.
In February 2021, the prosecution received complaints and reports concerning criminal offenses allegedly committed at the Refuge, in Montpellier or in other branches of the foundation. Suspicions of sexual violence had notably led the prosecution to open an investigation in March. The police have since proceeded “to numerous hearings and investigations, indicates the prosecutor. Regarding the facts of a sexual nature, a number of people did not confirm the facts listed in the initial writings. Conversely, five people confirmed to investigators that they had been victims of sexual offenses by the two leaders. »