Marseille Ecologist Hassen Hammou Suspended Amid Corruption Allegations Involving a Minor

On November 14, the Marseille Ecologist party announced disciplinary action against Hassen Hammou, a party member and selected candidate for the upcoming municipal elections in March 2026. Hammou is accused of corrupting a minor by encouraging a 16-year-old to engage in sexual acts via electronic communication. The prosecution seeks an 18-month suspended sentence for the 37-year-old politician.

After stepping back from his lead role in mid-October due to the allegations, Hammou initially decided to resign from the party but has since retracted his resignation to comply with the disciplinary process. The party's political bureau confirmed that Hammou will not be included on their electoral list and has referred the case to their disciplinary council.

New details have emerged revealing Hammou’s use of the now-banned "Coco" website, known for being frequented by sexual predators, which he admitted visiting twice since 2018. Despite the serious accusations, Hammou claims innocence, asserting he was the victim of a setup during an encounter he believed involved consenting adults and stated he was assaulted during that incident.

The judicial ruling is scheduled for December 16, and Hammou is awaiting the court’s decision before making a final public stance. These developments highlight significant political and legal repercussions for the Marseille Ecologist party as it addresses the allegations against one of its key members.