Assassination of Professor Dominique Bernard: attacker sent to assize court, no case for his brother and cousin

The case of the assassination of Professor Dominique Bernard has reached a decisive stage. The investigating chamber has decided to send the attacker to the assize court, thereby acknowledging the validity of the charges brought against him. However, his brother and cousin, who were also under investigation, benefit from a dismissal of charges, for lack of sufficient evidence to justify their prosecution.

This decision marks the end of a lengthy and sensitive investigation phase. The magistrates determined that the evidence gathered against the main accused was sufficiently solid to justify a trial before the criminal court. For the two relatives, the absence of direct evidence of participation or complicity led to the dropping of charges. This judicial choice does not prejudge the merits of the case, but it clearly outlines the framework for the future trial.

The assassination of Dominique Bernard, a teacher at a secondary school in Arras, had deeply shocked the country. This tragic event had rekindled the debate on school security and the fight against terrorism. The referral to the assize court appears as a necessary step to shed full light on the criminal responsibilities of the accused, while respecting the rights of the defense and the presumption of innocence.

For the brother and cousin, the dismissal of charges means they will not be tried for these facts. This outcome, although painful for the civil parties, falls within the logic of French criminal law, which requires specific charges to send anyone before an assize court. The decision may be challenged, but for now it marks the end of their judicial involvement in this case.

What remains is to organize the trial of the attacker, the date of which is not yet