Disappearance of Ophélie Bretnacher
The disappearance of Ophélie Bretnacher, a French student, was a complex criminal, and diplomatic affair between France and Hungary.
Ophélie Bretnacher, disappeared in Budapest, Hungary on December 4, 2008. She was part of the European exchange program known as the Erasmus Programme[1] City security cameras tracked part of her route after leaving a night club. Her bag and cell phone were later found on the Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lanchid).
Her friends and family used several methods to attempt to find her,[2][3] an official investigation was opened in Hungary and was soon followed by one in France.
Political and diplomatic consequences
An online affidavit has been signed by over 10,000 people and was sent to the French President.[4]
On January 11, 2009, several hundred people marched silently in a white march, from the Champ-de-Mars, near the Eiffel Tower, to seek involvement of the French State.[5]
In the French Government, Catherine Vautrin, the Vice-Président of the National Assembly asked for a French intervention[6][7][8] Following this intervention, French investigators were sent for the second time to Hungary.[9]
The criminal case
Her body was discovered in Csepel, in February 2009, in a backwater of the Danube. She probably drowned. The police said that death was probably the result of a suicide or accident.[10] However, homicide cannot be ruled out[11] because of the finding of an hematoma on Ophelie's body as well as many gray areas during the search.[12]
In February 2010, her family filed a new claim for murder.[13][14][15][16]
In March 2010, a judicial inquiry was opened in Paris for kidnapping, sequestration, followed by murder.[17]
Conclusion
This affair is classed in Hungary in 2014.[18]
References
- ↑ (English) "Budapest police investigate the case of a missing French girl". Retrieved December 12, 2009.,
- ↑ "Ophélie Bretnacher missing". Hír Televízió. December 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
- ↑ "Le web mobilisé pour retrouver Ophélie Bretnacher". L'Express. December 11, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
- ↑ "Pétition pour une implication de l'Etat français.".
- ↑ "Ils refusent qu'on oublie Ophélie". Le Parisien. January 12, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
- ↑ "Catherine Vautrin Questions au gouvernement 13 janvier 2009".
- ↑ "Vidéo de l'intervention de Catherine Vautrin à l'Assemblée nationale".
- ↑ "Disparition d'Ophélie Bretnacher le 13-15 le mag,".
- ↑ (English) "Hungarian authorities investigate possible kidnap". The Budapest Times. 24 January 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
- ↑ (English) "Ophélie Bretnacher mystery nears end as body recovered". Retrieved January 13, 2010., Caboodle.hu february 13th, 2009
- ↑ "EXCLUSIF Ophélie Bretnacher l'homicide ne doit pas être écarté"., L’Est Républicain 4 th december 2009
- ↑ "Disparition d'Ophélie Bretnacher — Mort probable d'Ophélie : un hématome qui interpelle"., L’Union february 14 th 2009
- ↑ "Justice, ces familles qui s'impliquent", Jean-Pierre Thiollet, France-Soir, february 18 th 2010
- ↑ Meuse:Ophélie, nouvelle plainte des parents, l'Est Républicain, 3 February 2010
- ↑ Ophélie Bretnacher, plainte pour meurtre, le Figaro 2 February 2010
- ↑ Elle, La famille relance l'enquête 2 February 2010
- ↑ / 2010-03-17/fait-divers-mort-d-ophelie-bretnacher-en-hongrie-une-information-judiciaire/920/0/434593 Mort d'Ophélie Bretnacher en Hongrie, une information judiciaire, le Point March 17, 2010
- ↑
External links
- 11/01/2009 Manifestation Film To ask more collaboration between french and hungarian police - AFP document
- Ophélie Bretnacher, pour la vérité sur ton départ si précipité - All the vidéos (en: Update on the investigation) and other articles