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German journalist Ann-Kathrin Stracke (37) claims that Giscard d’Estaing, now 94, committed a sexual assault against her in an interview she did with him in Paris in 2018.
According to the Paris State Prosecutor, Stracke has stated that the former French president repeatedly hit her in the butt.
The prosecutor is now launching an investigation into the charges.
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing photographed on October 4, 2018 in relation to a constitutional mark.
Photo: THOMAS SAMSON
“I decided to tell my story because I think the public should know that the former president of France sexually harassed me,” Stracke told the AFP news agency.
She works for the German television company Westdeutscher Rundfunk, WDR.
Giscard d’Estaing’s attorneys refuse to comment on the charges.
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group of photos
The incident took place in December 2018 when Giscard d’Estaing was interviewed in connection with a television program. They should mark the centenary of the birth of former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.
Giscard d’Estaing was President of France from 1974 to 1981. It was at the same time that Schmidt led Germany. The two had a close and confidential relationship.
In 2018, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing was interviewed about his friendship with former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. This photo was taken in Paris 5.2. 1980 when they were leaders for each country.
Photo: Taylor
The incident that has now been reported happened after the interview. Several group photos of the former president and WDR television staff were then taken.
Le Monde newspaper writes that Stracke was standing next to Giscard d’Estaing and that he ordered him. She tried to avoid it and took his hand away. But he kept going.
– I experienced this as very degrading, says Stracke.
A WDR cameraman should have sensed the situation. Deliberately he pushed a lamp to the ground. When he picked it up, he had a chance to place a chair between the former president and Stracke. Then the last group photos were taken.
According to Stracke, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing’s last words were in German. He said “Träumen Sie süß” (“Sweet dream”).
I can not remember anything
The German broadcaster WDR subsequently sent a complaint to the Giscard d’Estaing office.
In a statement from the former president’s office, referenced in the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, it is stated that no one in the office can recall the photo shoot and consequently there should be no criticism.
Stracke says he is pleased that the French prosecution has decided to investigate the charges he has filed.
The charges against the former president have sparked interest in the French media. Here from the online newspaper La Plume Libre
