Afghan Man Faces Trial for Alleged Sexual Assault at Rally
A 27-year-old Afghan man was referred for trial after allegedly sexually assaulting women and destroying a phone during a 6,000-person LGBTQ pride march in Strasbourg on June 20.
The incident occurred on the margins of the March for Visibilities, organized by the FestiQueer association, which drew nearly 6,000 participants to the streets of Strasbourg. The event was held to defend what organizers described as the right to self-identity during what activists call “visibility month.”
According to a police source cited by Valeurs Actuelles, the 27-year-old Afghan man approached a group of women participating in the march. He is suspected of rubbing himself against several of them before attempting to kiss one of the women without her consent.
When one of the alleged victims took out her mobile phone to film the incident, the suspect reportedly seized the device and threw it violently to the ground, damaging it.
Swift Arrest and Criminal Proceedings
The man was rapidly apprehended at the scene and taken into police custody. He was previously unknown to police services. The Strasbourg National Police District has taken charge of the investigation.
The Strasbourg prosecutor’s office confirmed that the Afghan national was referred for immediate trial proceedings on charges of sexual assault.
Context of Rising Concerns
The FestiQueer association organized the march during the height of what LGBTQ activists refer to as “visibility month.” The gathering attracted several thousand participants marching through Strasbourg’s streets.
Speaking to BFM Alsace during the event, one participant stated that attacks against the LGBTQ community were multiplying and that they needed to demonstrate resistance.
The assault occurring during a demonstration specifically organized around themes of safety and visibility has added another dimension to ongoing debates about public security in France. The incident underscores persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in managing large public gatherings while ensuring participant safety.
With information from Valeurs Actuelles
