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Plouasne Mayor Jailed Over Woman’s Death During Forced Hospitalization Attempt

The case tests how far local officials can act without the mandated certifications under French law.

Overview

  • Michel Daugan was placed under formal investigation and remanded to pretrial detention, prosecutors confirmed late Wednesday, while an implicated municipal councillor was put under judicial control with a ban on entering Plouasne.
  • Investigators say four people held Catherine Josselin, 66, on the ground for about 15 minutes on April 7 and tied her legs with a strap and a rope brought to the scene.
  • An autopsy found a likely link between the restraint and her death, which prosecutors say supports counts of arbitrary arrest leading to death and group violence causing death without intent.
  • Prosecutors report no municipal order or prior medical certificate was secured, even though French law requires a doctor’s certification before an involuntary psychiatric admission.
  • Two people who brought the rope and strap were released from custody as the judge-led inquiry continues, and residents in the 1,800-person commune say they are shaken by the death and the mayor’s jailing.