Leslie and Kevin Case: Nathan Badji Released Due to Procedural Error

Nathan Badji, one of the suspects in the murder of Leslie Hoorelbeke and Kevin Trompat, was released on Tuesday, March 18, after a procedural error in the summoning of his lawyer. This decision by the Court of Appeal of Poitiers comes after the extension of his pre-trial detention was invalidated, provoking anger from the victims’ families.

Summoning Error: The Cause of the Release

On March 3, Nathan Badji was summoned for a hearing to extend his pre-trial detention. However, his lawyer was not informed in time due to an email address error. When the order extending his detention was finally sent, she raised the issue before the Court of Appeal, arguing that the principle of contradiction had not been respected. The court then canceled this extension and ordered Badji’s immediate release.

Nathan Badji’s Strict Judicial Control

Although released, Nathan Badji remains under strict judicial control. He is now required to report daily to the gendarmerie and is prohibited from contacting the families of the victims. This release has sparked strong reactions from the families of Leslie and Kevin, who denounce what they consider an injustice in this case.

Nathan Badji, 24 years old, is one of the five suspects involved in the murder of Leslie and Kevin, whose bodies were found in Charente in March 2023.