Amelia Butterly

Nearly 250 women accuse former French cultural official Christian Nègre of drugging them with diuretics during or after job interviews between 2009 and 2018, allegedly causing uncontrollable urination and humiliating situations. Survivors Anaïs de Vos and Marie-Hélène Brice describe lasting psychological and physical harm, while Nègre is under formal investigation for drugging, invasion of privacy and sexual assault and awaits trial. The case has exposed delays in the French justice system and difficulties detecting drugs years after the alleged incidents. Activist Sandrine Josso and UN Women are urging stronger support and reporting mechanisms, while toxicologist Jean-Claude Alvarez says the alleged use of diuretics in this manner is highly unusual.

Approximately 250 women accuse former French cultural official Christian Nègre of drugging them with diuretics during job interviews between 2009 and 2018, allegedly to induce uncontrollable urination and humiliate or control them. Anaïs de Vos and Marie-Hélène Brice describe similar episodes involving sudden, painful urination and degrading treatment. The investigation began after Nègre was caught photographing a woman under a desk in 2018; he was suspended and dismissed in 2019 and remains under formal investigation for drugging, privacy violations and sexual assault while awaiting trial. Victims and advocacy groups criticize lengthy delays and inadequate support. A pilot program promoted by MP Sandrine Josso allows suspected victims to submit blood, urine or hair samples for testing without first filing a police complaint, although delayed testing makes evidence difficult to detect. Toxicologist Jean-Claude Alvarez says the alleged use of diuretics in this way is highly unusual.

Nearly 250 women accuse former French senior civil servant Christian Nègre of drugging them during job interviews between 2009 and 2018, allegedly using diuretics to cause uncontrollable urination and subject them to humiliating situations. Anaïs de Vos and Marie-Hélène Brice describe being made to urinate publicly after suspected drugging, with lasting psychological and physical effects. Police reportedly found a spreadsheet documenting alleged victims and details of the incidents. Nègre was dismissed from the Ministry of Culture and is under formal investigation for drugging, invasion of privacy and sexual assault, but is awaiting trial. Victims and women’s rights groups criticise lengthy legal delays, while experts highlight the difficulty of detecting substances years after the alleged events. A French pilot programme now allows suspected victims to submit blood, urine or hair samples for testing without first filing a police complaint.