France Detains Chef, Businessman In Secret Dinners Scandal
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published April 09, 2021 | 03:34 PM
French police on Friday detained for questioning leading chef Christophe Leroy and flamboyant businessman Pierre-Jean Chalencon after accusations they organised clandestine restaurant dinners for top figures in defiance of Covid-19 restrictions, prosecutors said
Paris (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Apr, 2021 ) :French police on Friday detained for questioning leading chef Christophe Leroy and flamboyant businessman Pierre-Jean Chalencon after accusations they organised clandestine restaurant dinners for top figures in defiance of Covid-19 restrictions, prosecutors said.
The M6 private television channel on Friday broadcast a reportage based on footage recorded with a hidden camera purportedly from a clandestine restaurant in a high-end area of Paris where neither the staff nor the diners were wearing masks.
All restaurants and cafes have been closed in France for eating in for the last five months. The country this week began a new limited nationwide lockdown to deal with surging Covid-19 infections.
The hashtag #OnVeutLesNoms (We Want the Names) went viral on Twitter, as speculation swirled over who may have attended such dinners.
Chalencon, who owns the luxury Palais Vivienne venue in the centre of Paris that was allegedly used for such an event, had told the channel that several such dinners had taken place and even ministers had attended.
The long-haired businessman, a prominent collector of memorabilia, later backtracked from this remark and the government has vehemently denied that any ministers have been involved.
Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said Sunday that a criminal probe had been opened into putting the lives of others at risk.
Police on Thursday searched the premises of the Palais Vivienne and a similar search had been carried on Wednesday at the home of Christophe Leroy.
Leroy's lawyer Thierry Fradet said his client had submitted documents that showed that any dinners he had organised where in private homes -- in line with the current rules -- and not secret restaurants.
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
8 minutes ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
8 minutes ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
50 minutes ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
50 minutes ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
50 minutes ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
1 hour ago
-
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on the rise
1 hour ago -
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
2 hours ago -
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
2 hours ago -
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
2 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
2 hours ago -
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
3 hours ago