Defamation of the Mayor of Auribeau-sur-Siagne: Her former campaign manager and running mate acquitted on appeal

Was Michèle Pecquereau, former Paganin mayor of Auribeau-sur-Siagne, defamed on social media in 2022? The Aix Court of Appeal has just ruled in the negative, acquitting Alexandre Kaabi, her former campaign manager and running mate of the majority. The charges relate to three posts on her real estate agent Facebook page between March and June 2022.

Prosecuted for defamation by the mayor of Auribeau, Alexandre Kaabi, a supporter of the National Rally, was convicted in the first instance in October 2023 by the Grasse Criminal Court for one of the three posts in question. He was then fined €1,500 (€1,000 of which was suspended) as well as €800 in damages for moral prejudice.

"Free critical expression"

A decision that the Aix Criminal Court overturned, completely exonerating the defendant. "At no point did Mr. Kaabi ultimately deviate from the free expression of criticism that falls within the legitimate debate of ideas," the criminal court ruling states. However, his claims for compensation were rejected.

Contacted, Alexandre Kaabi believes that " when you are mayor, you have to accept the criticisms that you may have of your public action" , before confiding " his joy at having recovered his honor. I lost time, money and my health" . Several difficult years. "For two years, I no longer slept at night. Today, I am happy to turn the page. In January 2023, I suffered a physical assault. Someone, hooded, came and slapped me in a parking lot in La Roquette" . Acts illustrating an attempt at intimidation which are currently the subject of an investigation.

For ^Mr. Thibault Masson, his lawyer, "this full acquittal of my client is a very satisfactory decision. It is important that his freedom of expression be recognized, in this context of political division."

"The limit with defamation is very close"

^Julien Prandi, Michèle Paganin's lawyer, said he "respected the decision of the appeal court while believing that the line with defamation was very close. Criticism and debate are the essence of democracy, but by pouring out onto social media, we tend to cross the line." The small village of Auribeau-sur-Siagne is clearly shaken by a poisonous climate and the affairs. It should be remembered that on February 27, the Grasse Criminal Court sentenced Michèle Pecquereau, formerly of Paganin, to a one-year suspended prison sentence and three years of ineligibility for illegal taking of interests in the Parc des Condamines affair. The mayor, who intends to run in the 2026 municipal elections, has appealed.