France/DRC

Prosecutors call for 12 years jail in ex-UN worker rape case

Article published on the 2008-09-11 Latest update 2008-09-12 08:57 TU

women in the DRC
(Credit: Wikimedia)

French prosecutors called for a 12-year jail sentence to be handed down to a former United Nations employee who is charged with raping 24 girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. Didier Bourguet, a 44-year-old French national, was posted to the African country as a mechanic between 1998 and 2004. He testifed that he had paid for sex with girls, but that they had all consented.

French prosecutor Pierre Kramer said that Bourguet's testimony showed no compassion for his victims, who were living in harsh economic conditions.

In addition to the 12 years in prison requested, prosecutors have called for Bourguet to undergo mandatory treatment for another eight years.

He is charged with rape, abuse of minors and a possession of pornographic material.

During the trial prosecutors told the court that Bourguet sought out girls in the Central African Republic from 1998 to 2001 and in the DR Congo from 2001 to 2004. A police officer testifed that he had paid between seven to 14 euros for sex.

One 16-year-old victim, now living in Canada, told the court that Bourguet had abused her after he served her a cup of tea that made her dizzy.