Overview

• The French National Assembly passed the 'procès-verbal distinct' measure as part of broader anti-narcotrafficking legislation, with 57 votes in favor and 31 against.
• The provision allows withholding specific details about investigative techniques from defense lawyers to protect investigators and informants.
• Amendments introduced judicial oversight and limited the measure's application to cases posing significant safety risks, addressing concerns raised by the French Council of State.
• Critics, including defense lawyers and left-wing politicians, argue the measure infringes on defendants' rights, questioning its necessity given existing protections for investigator anonymity.
• A separate proposal to mandate access to encrypted messaging platforms for narcotrafficking investigations was rejected by the Assembly.