French court suspends ex-health minister’s investigation into negligence related to COVID |

PARIS, 20 january (Reuters) – France’s highest appeals court ruled on Friday that former health minister Agnes Buzyn was negligent in her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. court stopped the investigation.

From May 20, 201720Buzyn, who was the Minister of Health until February 2018, resigned immediately after the start of the pandemic in order to run for mayor of Paris, although he could not be elected.

In the first months of the pandemic France his government’s response was criticized by the public, Buzyn, among others, put people’s lives at risk by not properly communicating the dangers of the COVID-19 virus.

Buzyn has denied wrongdoing in his handling of the crisis.

In September 2021, complaints from the public against Buzyn were referred to a special unit that deals with cases against government officials. court which led to an investigation into the pandemic by the Cour de Justice de La Republique.

Ruling on Buzin’s legal challenge to the investigation, the Court of Cassation did not provide any statutory references that would allow the investigative committee to conclude that Buzin owed a special duty of care.

“The crime of endangering others can only be charged if law or a special duty of care or safety should be imposed in the order”, he said court said that the investigators did not show such commitment regarding the minister.

Buzyn did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

France “is the only country in the world” where a government minister could be singled out and prosecuted amid a global health crisis as a result of sweeping procedural laws, Buzyn said in a recent interview.

Critics of the government say preparations are insufficient to deal with the health crisis. Many filed legal complaints, resulting in an investigation against Buzin.

Reporting by Dominique Vidalon Editing by Tassilo Hummel and Raissa Kasolowsky

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2023-01-21 08:59:34
Source – reuters

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