LFI deputy Carlos Martens Bilongo accused a 'state scandal' and foreign interference on Tuesday following a Tracfin investigation riddled with errors. The case, closed without follow-up in January 2025, is linked to his criticisms of COP28's organization. The government denies any foreign-originated report.
Carlos Martens Bilongo, a 34-year-old LFI deputy from Val-d’Oise, held a press conference at the National Assembly on October 21 to denounce a 'smear campaign' against him. As co-author in March 2023 of a parliamentary report criticizing the organization of COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, he claims this triggered a Tracfin investigation for tax fraud and money laundering, opened in mid-April 2023 and closed without follow-up in January 2025.
According to an investigation by L’Informé published on Monday, Tracfin's note is 'riddled with errors,' such as confusing income tax and corporate tax, and was initiated without a formal suspicion declaration, possibly on alert from the UAE or another administration. 'I had issued criticisms regarding the organization. Upon my return to France, a smear campaign against me followed with a fake note made by Bercy's economic services, Tracfin,' stated Mr. Bilongo. He accuses a 'foreign state' of deploying 'resources to destabilize an institution, the National Assembly.'
During government questions, the Minister for Public Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin, countered that Tracfin acted on 'a suspicion declaration addressed by a French obligated entity.' 'Tracfin did not work at the request of a foreign authority, and the identity of the author of this declaration cannot be revealed. That would be a crime,' she added. She emphasized similar treatment to other cases and adherence to judicial procedures.
L’Informé notes that Guillaume Valette-Valla, former head of Tracfin replaced in February 2024, had visited Dubai shortly after a trip by French deputies, including Mr. Bilongo. His functions ended at his request, following an internal report critical of his management.