Security concerns raised after burglary at Francois Hollande’s home

Hollande and his partner, actress and producer Julie Gayet, 53, were away from the home when the intrusion took place. A close associate described Hollande as shocked by the incident, though police were quick to respond, limiting the impact on the couple.

Police confirmed that the offenders entered the property in Paris eastern 20th arrondissement. The suspects, both Algerian-born and in their early 30s, were charged last Friday and placed in custody. According to reports, the intruders initially believed the house to be an abandoned building. They noticed an open gate and darkened windows around 8 p.m. and only realized it was occupied after entering, with the heating still running.

The burglars left after six minutes without taking any items, but one returned after forgetting an electronic cigarette and took a watch and an iPad during this second visit. These items were recovered four days later in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris.

Remarkably, Hollandes security team did not detect the break-in as it happened. Officers stationed several hundred meters away, partly to reduce complaints from neighbors about visible security, monitored the property via a surveillance system. On the night of the burglary, they reported a 30-minute technical failure that prevented them from observing the intruders.

Lawyer Seydi Ba, representing one of the suspects, criticized the explanation, calling it thin and pointing to what he described as a real dysfunction of the protection service. Both defense attorneys emphasized that their clients had no prior criminal record and suggested that the charges were exaggerated because the target was a former president.

Author: Benjamin Carter