A French woman named Eva, 29, and an Algerian man named Mustapha, 23, married in Bir El Djir, Algeria, on July 14 of last year. Their marriage came after a long legal struggle in France, where the mayor of Béziers, Robert Ménard, had refused to officiate their wedding three years earlier. The couple eventually had their marriage registered in the French civil registry on August 24, after overcoming legal obstacles. However, in July 2023, Ménard again refused to recognize their union, despite a court having approved it. He suspected the marriage was not genuine, particularly because Mustapha was under an order to leave France, known as an "order to leave the territory" (OQTF). Eva and Mustapha’s lawyer, Me Vanessa Edberg, expressed relief and joy at finally being able to celebrate their marriage, calling it a "human reality" rather than just a "political symbol." She emphasized that the couple had been separated for over three years and had been denied the right to publicly unite in July 2023. The legal battle had drawn attention not only to their personal story but also to broader issues of discrimination and the rights of people with foreign backgrounds in France. In February 2025, Robert Ménard was summoned by the judiciary as part of a legal process known as a "procedure for appearance with prior admission of guilt" (CRPC), which allows a defendant to be informed of a proposed penalty before a trial. However, Ménard rejected the "plea bargain" offered by the Montpellier prosecutor, choosing to face trial instead. He is set to appear before the criminal court in Montpellier on September 30. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison, a fine of 75,000 euros, and a period of ineligibility from holding public office. The case has highlighted tensions between local officials and national legal standards, as well as the challenges faced by individuals from immigrant backgrounds in France. It also underscores the role of the judiciary in ensuring that personal rights are upheld, even in the face of administrative resistance.