Michèle Alliot-Marie

On 11 January 2011, while repression in Tunisia was causing deaths, Michèle Alliot-Marie proposed in the National Assembly that France share its public order 'expertise' with Tunisian security forces. Ben Ali fled the country days later, giving her remarks particular resonance.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

During her late-2010 holiday in Tunisia, as protests against the Ben Ali regime intensified, Michèle Alliot-Marie, her partner Patrick Ollier and relatives used the private jet of businessman Aziz Miled twice. Miled was portrayed as close to the regime's economic circle.

State of the evidence

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It emerged that Michèle Alliot-Marie's parents had used the same trip to Tunisia to finalise a transaction with Aziz Miled's family involving shares in a property investment company. The revelation weakened her defence that the meeting with the businessman had been accidental and intensified the political crisis.

State of the evidence

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As Justice Minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie promoted Nicolas Sarkozy's reform proposal abolishing the investigating judge and entrusting more investigations to prosecutors, whose hierarchy is linked to the executive. Judges, lawyers and the opposition condemned the risks to investigative independence.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

Under Michèle Alliot-Marie, the Interior Ministry created the EDVIGE database, intended to centralise information on people holding or potentially holding political, economic, social or religious roles, as well as certain minors. The broad categories and potential recording of sensitive data prompted strong opposition from associations and institutions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility