France dismisses generals over controversial public statements

The French Ministry of Armed Forces has dismissed Brigadier Generals André Coustou and Paul Pellizzari from military service, citing violations of their duty to maintain neutrality and restraint in public statements.

Coustou, one of 20 generals who signed an open letter published in Valeurs Actuelles on April 21, 2021, faced dismissal for his involvement in the controversial letter, which marked the anniversary of the so-called "generals' coup" against the policy of French ex-President Charles de Gaulle, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The letter criticised what the signatories called the disintegration of the country, "hatred between communities" fueled by certain forms of anti-racism, and the rise of Islamism and suburban mobs. In the letter, the generals expressed their willingness to support politicians dedicated to preserving the nation and warned that if the decadence continued, intervention from fellow servicemen would be necessary.

The publication of the letter had sparked considerable debate, with some viewing it as a threat to France's democratic order. Brigadier General Pellizzari, meanwhile, came under scrutiny for filing a legal complaint in April 2024 against then-Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, and Minister for Europe and Foregn Affairs Stéphane Séjourné. 

The complaint criticised the French government for sending military equipment from the country's reserves to Ukraine. However, the French court rejected his complaint, ruling that it did not fall within its jurisdiction. Pellizzari, who has also been dismissed, called the decision an illegal repressive measure connected to his legal actions against the government. He has voiced his belief that his firing was retaliatory in nature, related to his outspoken criticism.

By Naila Huseynova