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PARIS

Graft inquiry into French ‘Pentagon’

French prosecutors have opened an inquiry into possible corruption over the construction of a new complex for the Defence Ministry in Paris, investigative weekly daily Le Canard Enchaîné reveals.

Published: 7 December 2011 11:41 CET

Investigators suspect French construction giant Bouygues was given a head start over other companies that were bidding for the work.

In May, Bouygues signed a contract with the government to build a massive new complex nicknamed the “French Pentagon” for the Defence Ministry. The complex is scheduled to be finished by 2014 and the state is to make annual payments of €100 to 150 million to Bouygues for 27 years.

Le Canard Enchaîné however alleges Bouygues was given the plans and specifications of the new complex before the other firms were allowed to work on them.

The Paris procecutor has opened an inquiry into corruption.

Defence Minister Gérard Longuet, who took office in February 2011, said he was unaware the new complex was being investigated.

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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