Paris Court Investigates Former EU Border Chief as Report Details University Complicity in Rights Abuses
The Paris Court of Appeal opened an investigation on March 24 into the former head of the EU Border agency for potentially participating in crimes against humanity. The development coincides with a report published March 25 by the Transnational Institute finding European universities complicit in border violence and rights abuses.
Report Details University Role in Border Policies
The Transnational Institute report states that "European universities ‘complicit in border violence and rights abuses’". It further asserts that "Universities play a significant, if often obscured, role in the development, perpetuation and expansion of Fortress Europe". The report was published by Euobserver on March 25, 2026.
Investigation Targets Former Frontex Head
The subject of the French judicial investigation is Fabrice Leggeri, the former head of the EU Border agency. According to France 24, Leggeri resigned in 2022 following allegations of mistreatment of migrants at EU borders. He is now a lawmaker for France's far-right National Rally party. Leggeri denies the allegations of crimes against humanity.
Political Context of EU Migration Policy
A separate Euobserver report from March 25 details political maneuvers affecting EU deportation policy. It states that the EPP crushed the European Commission's original 2018 proposal for a return directive to usher in more restrictive measures.