In Montpellier, Robert Ménard is on trial after refusing to officiate a wedding with a man under an OQTF (Obligation to Leave French Territory).
Robert Ménard appeared before the Montpellier criminal court on Wednesday, September 30. The mayor of Béziers had refused, in July 2023, to officiate the marriage of a French woman and an Algerian national under an order to leave French territory (OQTF). He faces up to five years in prison, a fine of €75,000, and a ban from holding public office.
A refusal of marriage is at the heart of the legal proceedings.
On July 7, 2023, Robert Ménard refused to officiate the marriage of Eva M. and Mustapha B. The politician explained that he suspected a sham marriage. A few days after this refusal, Mustapha B. was deported to Algeria.
The couple were finally able to get married in Algeria in the summer of 2026. However, the spouses live separately: Eva M. resides in France with her children.
A tense audience
As the trial approached, the mayor called on his supporters to travel to Montpellier. He also summoned several political figures, including David Lisnard, president of the Association of Mayors of France, and Bruno Retailleau, former Minister of the Interior. Both are presented in the source as presidential candidates.
Robert Ménard had also asked Emmanuel Macron to attend the hearing. The president will not be present, the defendant indicated. In 2025, Emmanuel Macron had described the situation of mayors faced with the marriage of undocumented immigrants as « absurd. »
Before the hearing, the couple’s lawyer, Vanessa Edberg, told AFP of her concerns and mentioned threats. She explained that she had refused the presence of support committees, believing that the trial should focus on the law rather than politics.
A debate that goes beyond the case
The case comes as a bill aimed at banning marriage for undocumented immigrants is being examined by the National Assembly’s Law Committee. The Association of Mayors of France supports the bill, while elected officials from the National Association of Welcoming Cities and Territories consider it discriminatory.
The franceinfo article, updated on September 30 at 9:57 a.m., announces the trial scheduled for that same afternoon. It does not mention a court decision.
Source: franceinfo – Headlines (www.franceinfo.fr)
Original article: See the original source
