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Former French President François Hollande and his partner, Julie Gayet, were the victims of a burglary on November 22, prompting an investigation and the arrest of two suspects. The incident, which involved the theft of a watch and an iPad, has raised questions about security protocols for high-profile figures and sparked debate over the severity of the legal response.
According to sources close to the investigation, two men of Algerian nationality were taken into custody and subsequently charged with “organized theft.” The burglary took place at the couple’s Paris residence on Saturday, November 22.
• Initial Mistake Led to Theft
The two suspects initially believed they had stumbled upon an unoccupied property and entered the home around 8 p.m., finding the front door unlocked. They reportedly told investigators they thought they were seeking shelter from the cold and intended to leave when they realized the house was heated.
However, one of the men later returned to retrieve a vaping device he had left inside, and during that second entry, a watch and an iPad were stolen. Police, who were conducting surveillance of the property, were alerted to the movement but were unable to prevent the suspect’s escape through a back window. Julie Gayet discovered the damage to rose bushes beneath the window the following day.
• Security Lapse During Surveillance
François Hollande is provided with a police protection detail as a former head of state. On the night of the burglary, two officers were assigned to monitor the residence, supplemented by a video surveillance system. However, due to complaints from neighbors regarding their activity, the officers had temporarily relocated to the end of the street.
While monitoring the property remotely via a tablet displaying live camera feeds, a “30-minute bug” in the surveillance system prevented them from immediately detecting the intrusion. This lapse in coverage allowed the suspects to enter and exit the property undetected for a period of time.
• Suspects Charged, Debate Over Prosecution
An extensive investigation, including the use of an IMSI-catcher, led to the suspects’ arrest on Monday. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced the charges of “organized theft” and placed both men in provisional detention. According to reports, neither suspect has a prior criminal record.
During questioning, the suspects claimed they were unaware the house belonged to François Hollande. The stolen watch was recovered during searches and returned to the former president. The iPad, however, was reportedly sold for a small sum. Hollande informed investigators that the device did not contain any sensitive data.
The prosecution’s decision to pursue charges for “organized theft” has drawn criticism from defense attorneys. “In this case, the justice system has gone to great lengths to criminalize a simple theft of a tablet and a low-value watch,” said Me Julia d’Avout d’Auerstaedt, lawyer for one of the suspects. “This disproportionate procedural choice can only be explained by the victim’s status.” She added that the decision led to a year of provisional detention for a young man with a clean record.
Me Seydi Ba, representing the second suspect, echoed those concerns, stating, “It is surprising that a case that would normally result in an immediate appearance in court is suddenly being treated with such disproportion.”
