Bataclan: Former firefighter sentenced after posing as a victim of the attack

Cédric R., a former volunteer firefighter and first-aid instructor in New Caledonia, had told investigators, the media and the victims’ compensation fund that he was at the Bataclan on 13 November 2015 at the time of the terrorist attack. An investigation was launched due to numerous inconsistencies in his account; in particular, he had mentioned a pregnant woman who he claimed had been shot several times in front of him, whereas no pregnant women were among the victims. He had even had a tattoo done in tribute to the victims of the attack, but his mobile phone’s location data proved that he was 30 kilometres away from the Bataclan at the time of the attack. It was not until around midnight that he went to the vicinity of the concert hall so that witnesses could confirm his presence. He turned himself in to the police, who immediately placed him in police custody. He should have been tried under the summary procedure, but the court adjourned the trial, requesting a further psychiatric and psychological assessment of the accused. The Versailles Criminal Court convicted him of “attempted fraud”. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, of which 18 months were suspended, with a committal order; two years’ probation; an obligation to undergo psychological treatment; and he must pay one euro in damages to the guarantee fund and the 13 November association. Since the attacks, seven people have already been convicted of “fraud” or “attempted fraud”.