Former Frontex chief under investigation in France on suspicion of crimes against humanity

An investigation has been launched in France into Fabrice Leggeri, the former head of Frontex, over allegations of mistreatment of migrants. 

This was reported by Reuters.

The case was opened by the Paris Court of Appeal after human rights organizations appealed a decision to refuse to investigate.

The investigation concerns events from 2015 to 2022—the period of the migration crisis. Leggeri is suspected of facilitating the interception of migrant boats by Libya and Greece while he was in charge of the agency.

Human rights activists have previously accused Frontex on multiple occasions of mistreating asylum seekers, but Leggeri himself has rejected these accusations.

He currently serves as a Member of the European Parliament for a French right-wing populist party. If charges are filed, the question of waiving his parliamentary immunity may arise.

As a reminder, the EU is developing a mechanism to manage migration pressure.

Additionally, six EU countries are facing a complex migration situation.