French police arrested Lyon Mayor Gregory Doucet on Wednesday as part of an investigation into the theft of public funds, Europe 1 radio reported.
Media outlets reported, citing a source close to the investigation, that "Lyon Mayor Gregory Doucet, a member of the European Green Party, was arrested by police on Wednesday and questioned by the Financial Crimes Office."
Media outlets quoted the Lyon City Council as saying: "The mayor of Lyon is being questioned as a public representative during a routine phase of the investigation, to explain the city's workings and defend the legitimacy of the decisions taken. He is fully cooperating with the judiciary and continues to perform his duties responsibly."
The Lyon Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation in February 2024 under the article relating to "embezzlement of public funds by persons vested with public authority."
In March of last year, as part of this investigation, searches were conducted at the mayor's office at the request of the judges.
Doucet has been mayor of Lyon, France's third-largest city after Paris and Marseille, since 2020.