Four former soldiers from the elite 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment in southern France have filed formal complaints accusing their superiors of physical violence, moral harassment and degrading treatment.
The former officers joined the Castres-based unit four years ago, hoping to dedicate their lives to the military. Nicknamed “Le Grand 8”, the regiment has fought in Afghanistan and is one of France’s most prestigious combat units.
"I aimed to join the special forces or become at least a non-commissioned officer. Now I'm on sick leave because of depression", Clovis Tritto, one of the plaintiffs, told Le Parisien daily.
Tritto, 27, claims he was repeatedly insulted and ostracised for refusing to participate in hazing rituals and group harassment orchestrated by his superiors.
He and three others filed a legal complaint with the Paris public prosecutor on 9 May. The case targets their superiors and the Ministry of the Armed Forces, accusing them of “deliberate violence, moral harassment, threats, endangering the lives of others and incitement to suicide”.
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Archaic, harmful methods
“This is a courageous step by young men who not only want to denounce the serious abuses they suffered but also hope to see real change in military practices,” their lawyer, Thibault Laforcade, told the French news agency AFP.
“It’s time to reexamine how this institution functions. The military cannot continue to rely on archaic and harmful methods.”
Laforcade argued that younger recruits accept the discipline that comes with army life, but fundamental rights must be upheld – even within regimental walls.
In a letter addressed to Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Laforcade urged the government to “take all necessary measures to address these systemic problems".
Other members of the unit also spoke to Le Parisien, describing a climate of fear in which soldiers who were shunned were isolated from their peers and denied contact.
They also described “entrenched” racism, saying words like “bonobo” and “negro” were used freely.
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Zero-tolerance policy
The Ministry of the Armed Forces said it was taking the allegations “very seriously” and reaffirmed its “zero-tolerance policy” towards such practices.
“The French Army is determined to shed full light on the facts and has launched a command-level investigation,” the ministry said in a statement.
It also pledged full cooperation with judicial authorities and vowed that if the allegations are confirmed to be true, "those responsible will face severe disciplinary sanctions".
Tritto said two-thirds of those who joined the regiment in the same year as him have since left the army, and one in four are dealing with depression.
(with newswires)
