Former Surgeon Admits to Sexual Abuse of 299 Patients in France

A French court has sentenced Myriam Jaouen, a 30-year-old daycare worker, to 25 years in prison for the death of baby Lisa after she made the infant drink drain cleaner to stop her from crying. The Lyon court found Jaouen guilty of "torture" and "barbarism resulting in death," ruling that while she admitted to administering the corrosive substance, she did not possess the intent to kill, according to prosecutor Baptiste Godreau. The incident occurred on June 22, 2022, when Jaouen, who had a troubled employment history in childcare, was alone at the daycare facility during its opening. Lisa, seriously burned, died just hours after being taken to the hospital. The case sparked nationwide outrage and highlighted significant flaws in France's private daycare sector. Baby Lisa's parents expressed their shock at the verdict, as they had hoped for a murder conviction. Their lawyer, Catherine Bourgade, voiced their belief that the ruling “adds pain to pain,” questioning Jaouen's justification for her actions and calling for an appeal.

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of embezzling public funds linked to a fraudulent jobs scheme at the European Parliament. The Paris court also imposed a five-year ban on her from holding public office, effective immediately, potentially hindering her bid for the presidency in the 2027 elections. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence and emphasized the seriousness of the offense, which impacted the European Parliament's integrity. According to the court, eight other members of Le Pen's party were also convicted for participating in the scheme, which involved using EU funds to pay for assistants purportedly employed to work for the European Parliament but were actually supporting party activities. The estimated financial implications of the scheme total 2.9 million euros. Le Pen has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that this verdict undermines democratic principles in France. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have both criticized the ruling, suggesting a trend of diminished democratic norms in Europe.

Gisèle Pelicot, a prominent figure in the fight against sexual violence, is set to release her memoir, "A Hymn to Life," in January 2026. The book, published by UK-based Bodley Head, will be available in French and 20 other languages, according to a statement from the publisher. Pelicot gained international attention following a trial in which 51 men, including her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, were convicted of sexual assault over nearly a decade. The court in Avignon sentenced the men to prison terms ranging from three to 20 years in a case that highlighted issues of rape culture in France. Pelicot bravely insisted that the trial be held in open court, despite the harrowing nature of the evidence, which included disturbing videos recorded by her ex-husband. In her forthcoming memoir, Pelicot aims to share her personal experiences and inspire others facing similar challenges. "I hope to convey a message of strength and courage to all those subjected to difficult ordeals," she stated, underscoring her desire to promote hope and resilience among survivors of abuse.