Mayor Robert Ménard faces fine in court over denied marriage to couple under OQTF

During a hearing on 30 September at the Montpellier criminal court, both sides presented their arguments over the refusal of Béziers mayor Robert Ménard to marry Eva M. and Mustapha B. The groom, an Algerian national, was under an OQTF that would have required his departure from France before the ceremony. Ménard argued that the measure would have prevented the groom’s presence, while the couple, backed by the Ligue des droits de l'homme, SOS Racisme and other supporters, claimed the mayor had no legal basis to block the union.

Prosecutors found no evidence of insincere intent and denied Ménard’s request to postpone the marriage. Subsequently, a police-border investigation prompted the Hérault prefect to execute the OQTF, resulting in Mustapha B.’s deportation to Oran on 20 July 2023. The court now seeks to impose a monetary penalty on the mayor.