In Irkutsk, a French diplomat who was accused of violence against his daughter was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison.

The Kirovsky District Court of Irkutsk sentenced in absentia to 15 years in a maximum security colony the former head of the French language and culture center "Alliance Française Irkutsk" John Barbero, who was accused of sexual abuse of his minor daughter, reports . Irsity.ru

Diplomat Barbero was arrested in February last year. He was charged under Part 4 of Article 132 of the Criminal Code (violent acts of a sexual nature against a minor) and Parts 2, 3 of Article 242 of the Criminal Code (distribution of pornography). "Grani" noted that Barbero was an employee of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but he did not have diplomatic immunity.

Later, the diplomat's preventive measure was changed to house arrest; In the summer, court hearings began. In September it was reported that Barbero had escaped from house arrest and was wanted.

A source from the publication “Top Secret” said that a case was opened against the Frenchman after a photograph of his naked daughter and a video with her were published on the forum of Irkutsk parents. According to another source of the publication, the case was initiated by an Irkutsk official who suspected his wife of adultery in Barbero.

Barbero's wife Daria said in June 2015 that she and her daughter were forced to testify under pressure. “I was forced to denigrate my husband and say that he is a danger to me and my daughter in exchange for my freedom,” she said .

In France, a committee was created that tried to help Barbero, including sending appeals to the Russian President with a request to release the diplomat. The committee called the accusations fictitious.