The Paris prosecutor’s office said on Friday that French authorities are investigating an alleged rape at the Presidential Elysee Palace earlier this year.
The prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press that the investigation began on July 12. But this was not immediately confirmed by French media reports that said a female soldier guarding the palace had accused a soldier of rape on July 1.
French media also reported that President Emmanuel Macron was not around when the alleged attack took place, but had attended an event in the evening. Macron lives in Elysee.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said the accused soldier was questioned as a “supporting witness”, a position meaning he was not interviewed as a suspect facing potential charges.
The office would not provide confirmation or further details.
Elysee said she would not comment on the ongoing judicial investigation.
But it said that as soon as the palace heard about the case, “immediate measures have been taken: to listen, support and accompany the victim.” Elysee said the accused soldier has been removed from his post at Rashtrapati Bhavan and officials are awaiting the findings of the judicial inquiry before deciding whether further action is needed.
French media have reported that Defense Minister Florence Parly launched an internal administrative investigation into the alleged rape.