The journalist presented his “most sincere apologies” to the couple of NUPES-LFI deputies of Seine-Saint-Denis, considering having been “victim of manipulation”.
Le Monde with AFP
The weekly has been in turmoil since the publication on his site of an article accusing Raquel Garrido, 48, and Alexis Corbière, 54, of exploiting an undocumented Algerian cleaning lady. The journalist of Point Aziz Zemouri, author of the article, was laid off and summoned to an interview prior to a possible dismissal, learned the agency France-Presse (AFP), Friday, June 24, of concordant sources, confirming Liberation information.
Contacted by AFP, the journalist presented his “most sincere apologies” to the couple of Nupes-LFI deputies of Seine-Saint-Denis, considering having been “victim of manipulation”. Solicited by AFP, the direction of the point did not wish to comment on this information.
Very rare fact, the article was removed on Thursday from the weekly site, the director of the point, Etienne Gernelle, recognizing “errors and shortcomings to caution” and apologize to the deputies and readers.
“Internal survey diligent from the” point “”
“An internal investigation of the point was diligent,” said Aziz Zemouri to AFP on Friday. “I also carried out additional investigations which led me to see inconsistencies which allow me to think that I have been the victim of manipulation,” he said.
“These are not only the WhatsApp messages that have been commented and disputed,” he added in reference to screenshots supporting his article and whose authenticity was questioned by doubt digital specialists. “It seems well orchestrated to me. To this extent, I apologize the most sincere to Raquel Garrido and Alexis Corbière. The only point that comforts me is that I have not allowed this erroneous information to ‘influence the “legislative elections, he concluded. Thursday, he told AFP being “convinced of the veracity of the facts”.
This same day, Raquel Garrido had asked the journalist’s “immediate dismissal” on Twitter, invoking an “indelible” wrong. Her husband also called for “sanctions”, in the name of “the honor of the profession” of journalist. The couple’s lawyer, M e Xavier Sauvignet, had then informed AFP that he was preparing two complaints, one for public defamation and another against X for false and use of false and identity theft.
In June 2021, Le Point and Mr. Zemouri had been sentenced to defamation after an article by the latter. He described actress Sand Van Roy, who accused the filmmaker Luc Besson as ancient rape and sexual assault as ancient.