Law
19:15 07/04/2015
France senator found dead before 'Chinese weddings' trial
A French Socialist senator has been found dead on the day he was due to stand trial for corruption over Chinese wedding tours in the Loire valley, the BBC reports.
Jean Germain, the ex-mayor of Tours, was accused of illegally profiting from a business that arranged for Chinese tourists to renew their wedding vows against historic backdrops in the city.
The 67-year-old left a "goodbye letter" denying the charges.
His death has sent shock through France's political circles.
President Francois Hollande expressed sadness, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he had "lost a friend", saying Mr Germain had "hugely changed" the city of Tours.
The trial was suspended on Tuesday after Mr Germain failed to attend.
The former mayor was found dead near to his home, according to reports. Police sources were quoted as saying the death was believed to be suicide.
In a letter given to media outlets (in French) by his lawyer, Mr Germain said the charges were "unbearable" and politically motivated.
"I have never defrauded the city for a single cent, nor made myself rich, and I have always worked for what I believed was in the best interests of the people of Tours," he wrote.
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:
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