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France sanctions 'sex case' judge France sanctions 'sex case' judge
(about 1 hour later)
An investigating judge at the centre of one of France's biggest miscarriages of justice has been reprimanded by a panel looking into his conduct.An investigating judge at the centre of one of France's biggest miscarriages of justice has been reprimanded by a panel looking into his conduct.
Fabrice Burgaud, 37, headed an inquiry in 2001 that led to 13 innocent people being imprisoned on paedophilia charges, some for several years. Fabrice Burgaud, 37, headed an inquiry in 2001 that led to 12 innocent people being imprisoned on paedophilia charges, some for several years.
Then-President Jacques Chirac called the trial an "unprecedented disaster".Then-President Jacques Chirac called the trial an "unprecedented disaster".
Despite the reprimand issued to Mr Burgaud being the lightest possible sanction, his lawyers plan to appeal.Despite the reprimand issued to Mr Burgaud being the lightest possible sanction, his lawyers plan to appeal.
Mr Burgaud was accused of detaining suspects based on unsubstantiated allegations that a group of neighbours were operating a paedophile ring in the northern town of Outreau, near Boulogne. They argue that he was made a scapegoat for a series of flaws involving the police and the judicial system.
Two couples were convicted, but 13 others, including a priest, were eventually acquitted after spending up to 39 months in jail. One suspect committed suicide while in detention. Inconsistent evidence
The case led to calls for reform of the French judicial system. In his first posting as an examining magistrate, Mr Burgaud began an inquiry in 1999 into allegations that children had been abused by their parents and neighbours in the town of Outreau, near Boulogne.
The French justice ministry had called for Mr Burgaud, who has been demoted to a junior position in Paris, to be suspended for a year. OUTREAU TRIAL TIMELINE May 2004: Trial starts in St Omer of 17 suspectsLate May 2004: Suspect Myriam Delay clears 13 of the accused, but then re-accuses them2 July 2004: 10 convicted and seven acquitted1 December 2005: Six acquitted on appeal. Two couples serving up to 20 years in jail
Lawyers for Mr Burgaud said they would appeal against the reprimand, arguing that he was made a scapegoat for a series of flaws involving the police and the judicial system. He became convinced that he had uncovered a large paedophile ring and ordered that 17 suspects be remanded in custody while they were investigated. The allegations transpired to be wildly exaggerated.
Two couples were later convicted, but 12 others, including a priest, were eventually acquitted after spending up to 39 months in jail. One suspect committed suicide while in detention.
Much of the evidence given by children during the trials was found to be inconsistent and a number of experts were also discredited.
A parliamentary committee of inquiry later heard emotional testimony from those separated from their children.
Mr Burgaud said none of his colleagues had warned him he was on the wrong path. He told the panel of deputies he was acutely aware of the victims' suffering, but insisted he had done his job dutifully.
The justice ministry had pushed for Mr Burgaud, who was later demoted to a junior position in Paris, to be suspended for a year.
Former President Chirac apologised in 2006 for the "unprecedented judicial disaster" and the case has prompted moves by the government to reform the French legal system, reducing the powers of examining magistrates.
But correspondents say the reprimand handed down to Mr Burgaud is unlikely to satisfy those who were wrongly imprisoned.