Former French senator on trial for allegedly drugging lawmaker to assault her

Former French Senator Joel Guerriau arrives with his lawyer Henri Carpentier for a hearing in his trial for allegedly spiking member of parliament Sandrine Josso's drink with the intention of sexually assaulting her, at the courthouse in Paris, France, January 26, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

PARIS, Jan 26 (Reuters) - ‌A former French senator went on trial on Monday accused of spiking a ‌lawmaker's drink with ecstasywith the intention of sexually assaulting her.

Joel Guerriau, 68, who ‌resigned as a senator over the case in October 2025, allegedly administered lawmaker Sandrine Josso with "a substance liable to alter her discernment or control over her actions, in order to commit rape or sexual aggression", ‍a court document showed.