Schaerbeek alderman Michel De Herde (Défi) was arrested and charged last Friday. On Tuesday, the office of Mayor Cécile Jodogne (Défi) reacted by press release.
By the editor
Lhe Schaerbeek alderman Michel De Herde (Défi) was arrested and charged last Friday with rape of a minor under sixteen, a minor over sixteen and possession of child pornography, we learned on Monday. The Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the information to Evening while specifying that Michel De Herde benefits from the presumption of innocence for the moment.
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On Tuesday, the office of mayor Cécile Jodogne (Défi), reacted by press release indicating that an emergency meeting of the aldermen and aldermen of the municipality of Schaerbeek would be organized. “The grounds for indictment cited in the press (see above) are extremely serious”, we can read.
Michel De Herde accepted, “that the withdrawal of his powers, effective since his first indictment, is obviously extended following this second indictment and that he has no relationship with the municipal services. And that until Justice has done its work. Not to participate in the College or Council until these charges are cleared. That the Municipal Council designate, pending the judicial decision, another representative in the municipal bodies in which he has been appointed, ”reports the press release.
An investigation by occupational medicine is also underway to determine whether the alderman could have had other undesirable behavior within the budget and public instruction departments. He had been removed from his jurisdiction following a decision taken by the Schaerbeek college due to a first charge “for violation of sexual integrity committed by a person having authority over the victim or victims”. Michel De Herde had been released after being heard.
In September, the case was relaunched following a rape complaint filed by a student. A complaint had also been made against him by the Alderman for Culture and Gender Equality and Opportunities, Sihame Haddioui (Ecolo).
Currently, Michel De Herde denies the facts and does not wish to make any comment.