Investigation of Former EU Border Force Chief

Fabrice Leggeri, previously the head of the EU border agency Frontex and now a European Parliament member, is under investigation in France. This follows accusations from far-left activists who claim he engaged in illegal pushback of migrant boats in the Mediterranean.

According to reports from Le Monde, the Paris Court of Appeal is looking into potential “crimes against humanity” related to Leggeri’s actions. This inquiry began after a complaint from the pro-migration nonprofit Utopia 56 and the League for Human Rights in April 2024.

Activists allege that during his time leading Frontex from 2015 to 2022, Leggeri coordinated and perhaps concealed efforts to push back boats carrying illegal migrants to Turkey by Greek coast guards, as well as similar actions by Libyan authorities against vessels heading toward Italy.

The complaint contends that Leggeri opposed and concealed evidence of crimes committed by these coast guards, while also allegedly providing logistical and financial assistance for their actions.

Additionally, he is accused of implementing harsh policies aimed specifically at stopping migrants from entering the European Union, which critics say jeopardized human lives.

While Leggeri has yet to publicly address the investigation, his supporters quickly condemned what they perceive as an attempt to penalize those defending Europe’s borders. Marine Le Pen, a former presidential candidate from the National Rally, expressed her backing for Leggeri, referring to the situation as judicial harassment.

“The French public, facing serious issues from mass immigration, won’t be misled by the far left’s attempts to criminalize legitimate oversight of immigration policy,” Le Pen stated.

National Rally Chairman Jordan Bardella echoed these sentiments, criticizing what he called “judicial harassment by far-left groups,” asserting that securing Europe’s borders is not only necessary but a fundamental right.

Leggeri has been an outspoken critic of open borders and the EU migration agreement. This agreement penalizes member states that don’t accept illegal immigrants from other countries failing to protect their borders. He’s not the only one facing legal challenges for advocating border protection, as Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has dealt with similar court cases, although he was acquitted of all charges last December.