23 ° C
Profile

Month: October 2021

Hélène Pastor assassination: retrial begins

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/10/2021

After countless delays due to the Covid pandemic, the appeal trial of Wojciech Janowski, convicted of ordering the murder of Monaco’s richest woman Hélène Pastor, has begun in an Aix-en-Provence court.
On 6th May 2014, 77-year-old Hélène Pastor, heiress of a real estate empire estimated at €12 billion, was fatally shot along with her Egyptian driver Mohamed Darwich, 63, as they left a Nice hospital where she had visited her son, Gildo, who had suffered a stroke.
Four years later, her son-in-law Wojciech Janowski was sentenced to life imprisonment for ordering the assassinations.
Now, the 72-year-old Polish native is appearing before the Appeals Court of Bouches-du-Rhône where he is once again proclaiming his innocence, shouting out “conspiracy” to the court on Monday, according to a report by AFP.
On Tuesday, the court heard the testimony of judicial police officer of Nice Catherine Messineo, who, in the early stages of the investigation, went to Helene Pastor’s bedside on 17th May 2014.
“I discovered her horribly injured,” the officer reportedly told the court, adding that the victim was disfigured and her speech hampered by a tracheotomy. “It was a very complicated hearing to do.” The investigator added that Hélène Pastor “said that she saw a black man appear who fired two shots, the first on her, the second on Mohamed Darwich. She believed that the intention was to shoot two people.”
The court heard that Hélène Pastor had not received a death threat, that she had not changed her will, which still left her fortune 50/50 to her two children Sylvia and Gildo, and that she had not taken out life insurance for a third beneficiary. The billionaire also carried a will on her at the time of the attack. Hélène Pastor, said the investigator, closed her statement with these words: “I’m afraid, I have other things to say”. “I promised to see her again as soon as I received the green light from the doctors,” said the police officer, but “five days later she died.”
Present in court for the trial are the victim’s daughter Sylvia Ratkowski-Pastor, partner of Wojciech Janowski for 28 years, and her son Gildo Pallanca-Pastor, who has engaged in a media showdown leading up to the trial, saying that “everything has not been said” and openly suggesting that his sister may be complicit in the assassinations. The pair reportedly are no longer on speaking terms.
Joining Wojciech Janowski in the dock is Pascal Dauriac, sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. “I take responsibility for everything I have done,” he said on Monday. Dauriac claims that Janowski ordered him to have the billionaire killed and organise the theft of her purse to make it seem like a robbery.
Also in the dock are Al-Haïr Hamadi and Samine Saïd Ahmed, one convicted of being the lookout and the second the perpetrator of the shootings. They were sentenced, like the son-in-law, to life imprisonment in 2018.
Al-Haïr Hamadi admitted Monday to being the lookout. Samine Saïd Ahmed did not make a statement. Omer Lohore, a relative of the lookout and initially acquitted, has always claimed his innocence.
The appeal trial, involving all five of the accused, is due to last until 19th November.
 
Photo of Helene Pastor by Claudia Albuquerque Best Image
 
RELATED STORIES:

Pastor murder appeal delayed, again

 
 
 

More than 600 new homes by end of 2023

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/10/2021

Monegasque Councillor Balthazar Seydoux has confirmed to the National Council that there will be a total of 612 new apartments built in the Principality by the end of 2023, easing Monaco’s housing shortage.

During a National Council meeting on 7th October, Councillor Balthazar Seydoux, who is also Chairman of the Finance and National Economy Committee, revealed details of the hundreds of new appartments that are currently being built or that will be built in Monaco by the end of 2023.

Testimonio II will provide 181 apartments and are scheduled to be delivered at the and of 2022. The next phase is the Testimonio II bis project, which will add 167 homes by the last quarter of 2023.

A renovation and rehab project at Mélèzes will deliver 14 apartments by the first quarter of 2023 at a cost of €17 million, including the restoration of the building.

Palais Honoria will add 65 to the market at a cost of €85 million with an estimated completion date in the start of 2023.

There will also be an additional 25 apartments from the €36 million Villa Carmelha, which is set to be move-in ready by the middle of 2023.

Finally, there is the Grand Ida, which is set to be completed by late 2023, and will give residents 160 new apartments, costing €320 million.

“Allow me to express my satisfaction with the confirmation of the timely delivery of operations Testimonio II, Palais Honoria and Carmelha,” said Balthazar Seydoux. “These projects come under a crucial need: to enable all Monegasques whose situation justifies it to find proper accommodation in quality apartments. I will add to the satisfaction that of the confirmation that the apartments in the Testimonio II, Testimonio II bis and Palais Honoria buildings will be delivered with kitchens installed, which will greatly facilitate the installation of the beneficiaries, especially the youngest of them.”

The councillor also confirmed the construction of two short-term nursing homes, in Monte-Carlo and in the Annonciade district.

 
 
Photo of Villa Carmelha by Bellecour Architects
 
 
 

COP15 adopts declaration to “act urgently” to protect planet

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/10/2021

The COP15 Biodiversity Conference in China has urged Monaco and all participating countries to “act urgently on biodiversity protection in decision-making and recognise the importance of conservation in protecting human health.”
Over a hundred nations are taking part in the COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Kunming China, whose aim is to develop, adopt and implement an efficient global agreement, which they have called the Kunming Declaration, putting biodiversity and environmental recovery at the top of the priority list by 2030.
Monaco participated at home with the involvement of Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning, and on the ground with the participation of Marie-Pascale Boisson, Monaco’s Ambassador to China.
Ms Caron-Dagioni spoke of the Principality’s attachment to preserving biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial, and the need to recognise its essential contribution to the survival of mankind. This commitment was illustrated by some examples of concrete actions currently underway, such as the renaturation of the city.
She also iterated Monaco’s commitment to the adoption of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the objectives to be achieved to fight against the loss of biodiversity, which will be finalised in May 2022, with a conservation objective of 30% of the globe by 2030.
Signatory nations will also work towards the full realisation of the 2050 Vision of ‘Living in Harmony with Nature’, ensuring that post-pandemic recovery policies, programmes and plans contribute to the sustainable use of biodiversity, and promote inclusive development.
“The adoption of the Kunming Declaration is a clear indication of the worldwide support for the level of ambition that needs to be reflected in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be finalised next spring in Kunming,” Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, said.
Key elements of the accord include phasing out harmful subsidies and recognising the full and effective participation of local communities and indigenous peoples in helping monitor and review progress.
The European Union has doubled external funding for biodiversity and announced the creation of a coalition of financial institutions who are dedicated to protecting biodiversity with the aid of €12 trillion in assets and investments.
The conference has put a fine point on the dangers to human survival posed by the continued damage to biodiversity. Species are becoming extinct at a catastrophic level, causing disruptions to food chains that can create ripple effects up the ladder.
“Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation pose major risks to human survival and sustainable development”, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, and COP15 President, Huang Runquiu said, saying that this moment “signalled renewed political will to boost ambition, enhance collaboration and maximise opportunities for synergies across other multilateral agreements.”
Participating countries are expected to adopt the proposed biodiversity framework by May 2022 which coincides with the next phase of Kunming meetings set to take place from 25th April to 8th May 2022.
 
 
Photo by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash
 
 
 

'Confinement, deconfinement' by MonacoVisions

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/10/2021

On Wednesday, a unique short film will be showcased at the Théâtre des Variétés, documenting local photographer’s interpretation of Monaco’s intense period during the Covid pandemic.
“Poetic, moving, and disconcerting clips” make up this fascinating film created by MonacoVisions’, a Monegasque association that brings together photographers and filmmakers aged from 10 to 92 years, all united in their passion for pictures.
Titled ‘Confinement, deconfinement’, the short film screening will take place on Wednesday 20th October at 6.30pm.
From March 2020 to the present, the film explores the visions of lockdown, the Principality’s re-opening, and the subsequent return to lockdown.
It features footage of an empty, silent Monaco, artistic clips that show this most unusual time in a new light. It also has interviews with young people talking about the health crisis that directly impacted their lives, as well as original music.
 

New rules to enter Fun Fair

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/10/2021

The much-loved Monaco Fun Fair returns this week with a total of 61 attractions and two new rides. However, there are health restrictions, so here is everything you need to know before heading down to Port Hercule.

The Monaco Fun Fair will be open to the public from 22nd October to 19th November after a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic. All the usual favourites will be there, along with some new rides and a new set up.

This year, the attractions, entertainment booths and food stands will be located over the whole of the upper part of Quai Albert Ier, whilst the lower part, the Darse Sud, will be the scene for a variety of activities, but no food concessions.

In all, 61 vendors, game booths and rides will be on site including two new attractions: Aladdin, for children aged two and up, and Techno Power, for thrill-seeking older kids.

The Mairie has put all the most current health and safety measures in place for this year’s event. In addition to the usual security checks, there will be additional health checks in line with government protocol including presentation of a valid health pass for all those over 16 years of age. Mask wearing is also compulsory for all visitors over five. This year, all customers are asked to sit and eat any food or drink purchased as walking with food and drink is prohibited.

There will be seven access points, with five on the Quai Albert Ier and two on the Darse Sud, marked by carpets. The health requirements allow only for a certain number of visitors at once, so once capacity has been reached, entry will be temporarily suspended until visitor numbers lessen. The fair can be viewed in real time at the Mairie’s website and those wishing to come are strongly advised to go online to see what the latest crowd situation is before making the journey to the Port.

The fun fair will be open every day from 11am to 11pm and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on the eve of any public holidays. Exceptionally, on 18th November, the eve of National Day, attractions will stay open until 1am.

To access the real time webcams, visit the City Hall website at www.mairie.mc

 

 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 
 

E-Rally returns to Monte-Carlo

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/10/2021

After last year’s cancellations due to the after-effects of Storm Alex, the E-Rally Monte-Carlo is back for its fifth edition with its most challenging course yet.

The Principality’s 100% hydrogen and electric car rally, the E-Rally Monte Carlo, returns from 20th to 24thOctober with a 350-kilometre course divided into 15 “regularity specials” (SR) or steps, 55 teams and 110 participants.

In all, racers from 12 nations will be competing and 21 models of vehicles will be on display.

Though this is officially the fifth edition of the E-Rally, this race has been going on since 1995 when it was called the Monte-Carlo Rally of Electric Vehicles until 1999, then the Monte-Carlo Fuel Cell and Hybrids Rally from 2005 to 2006, the Monte-Carlo Rally of Alternative Energy Vehicles from 2007 to 2011, and the Rallye Monte-Carlo des Energies Nouvelles / Rallye Monte-Carlo ZENN from 2012 to 2015.

The latest incarnation is a result of regularising the event and making it parts of the E-Rallye de Regularité Cup of the FIA 2020.

The departure point will be in Châteauneuf, in the Loire department, on Wednesday 20th October. The city is credited with being the first municipal domain in France to be autonomous in green energy. This stage will consist of three SRs with an arrival in Valence.

There will then be four SRs within the city of Valence on the 21st. 

The next stage on Friday 22nd has racers doing four monster stages from Valence to Monaco.

The final push takes place on Saturday 23rd October where the last four stages make a loop from Monaco, taking racers to four stopping points in the Var. The last step is a race back to the Principality to cross the finish line.

“By definition, the E-Rallies aim to promote new automotive technologies, designed to emit the lowest possible quantities of pollutants, fine particles and CO2,” says the Automobile Club of Monaco. “They also aim to encourage drivers to adopt eco-responsible driving, with priority being given to environmental protection and the transition of the transport sector, through the use of electricity as a source of energy to propel vehicles.”

Racers will benefit from 1,200 electric charging stations positioned along the route. Charging stations will also be provided in parks by EVBox, a partner of the race.