Areva (Orano) Faces Trial Over 2010 Niger Hostage Kidnappings Due to Alleged Negligence

Areva, now operating as Orano, is set to face trial for involuntary injuries linked to the 2010 kidnapping of five French nationals near the uranium mine in Arlit, Niger. The legal proceedings center on accusations of negligence and a failure to provide adequate security measures, despite repeated warnings about the escalating Al-Qaïda threat in the region.

The kidnappings on September 15-16, 2010, involved five French citizens, along with a Malagasy and a Togolese national. One hostage was released after five months due to illness, while the others endured captivity for 1,139 days before their release in October 2013. Investigations revealed that the mining site was secured only by unarmed private guards with no emergency plans, despite a government contract for protection.

Olivier Morice, lawyer for former hostage Pierre Legrand, criticized Areva for underestimating the risk and not implementing essential safety measures to protect its employees. Although Areva claimed its security protocols were adequate, there was an acknowledged failure in their execution. Judges pointed to a persistent underestimation of the dangers posed by Al-Qaïda in the area. The charges specifically cite negligence, imprudence, and non-compliance with legal safety obligations, resulting in prolonged harm to the employees.

This trial vividly exposes the complex challenges multinational companies face when operating in high-risk areas and the legal responsibilities they bear toward employee safety. The court order to proceed was issued on September 26, with the trial expected to scrutinize the depth of Areva’s accountability in this tragic episode.