French Covid-19 Inquiry Ends Without Indictments for Former Ministers

The Court of Justice of the Republic concludes its investigation into the government's pandemic response, with no charges brought against Edouard Philippe, Agnès Buzyn, or Olivier Véran.

The Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) has officially closed its investigation into the French government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, initiated in July 2020.
Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and former Health Ministers Agnès Buzyn and Olivier Véran were placed under the status of 'témoin assisté' (assisted witness), but no formal indictments were issued.
The investigation focused on allegations including the lack of protective equipment, delayed crisis response, and the decision to hold municipal elections in March 2020 despite rising infections.
Legal experts cited the absence of specific legal provisions imposing obligations on the ministers, which led to the dismissal of charges such as 'endangering the lives of others.'
A probable non-lieu (dismissal of charges) is expected in the coming months, as the inquiry concludes without establishing criminal liability for the pandemic response.