The arrest of former French ambassador Boris Boillon at Paris’s Gare du Nord station on July 31 has raised eyebrows internationally. Boillon was apprehended as he attempted to board a train to Brussels carrying over 350,000 euros in cash. This significant sum, equivalent to approximately $370,000 US dollars based on current exchange rates, has triggered an investigation and sparked intense scrutiny of the former diplomat’s activities.
This incident marks a dramatic downturn for Boillon, who previously enjoyed a distinguished political career. Known for his fluency in Arabic, he served as France’s ambassador to both Iraq and Tunisia. His political connections were also notable, with former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi reportedly referring to him as “my son,” and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy calling him “my little Arab” during his time as an advisor.
According to reports from the French investigative website Mediapart, Boillon was stopped by customs officials during a routine check. When questioned about carrying currency, he failed to declare the large sum of euros in his possession. This oversight is particularly significant as French law mandates the declaration of any amount exceeding 10,000 euros when entering or leaving the country. The subsequent search of Boillon’s bag revealed envelopes filled with cash.
Boillon, aged 43, offered an explanation for the substantial amount of undeclared currency. He stated that the 350,000 euros represented payment for consulting work, claiming an annual income of around 500,000 euros from this profession. “It’s money that I made this year in Iraq from the services I provide to Iraqi companies,” Boillon reportedly testified, according to Mediapart. “Because Iraq lacks a developed banking system, these companies wired me the cash to Paris.”
He further explained that while residing in a wealthy Brussels suburb, his business operations are based in Paris. Adding to the unusual circumstances, Boillon was also travelling without his passport, attributing this to simply forgetting his identification documents at home. He stated he was in Paris for the day to address concerns about keeping the cash in his office and a portion hidden near his cellar, aiming to resolve the situation quickly.
French authorities have initiated a formal investigation into the incident. The central question remains whether Boillon’s explanation will be deemed credible by customs officials as they delve deeper into the source and intended use of the 350,000 euros, a sum that translates to a considerable amount of dollars and raises questions in any currency.
