EXCERPTS FROM « LA BEAUTÉ DU CRIME » (“THE BEAUTY OF CRIME”), a diary Vergès kept from December 1984 to May 1985.

- “ March 16th 1985 : Magdalena…is sharing her cell with a prostitute who never bathes and exudes a putrid fish stench. Thankfully, I brought her a Gabonese flower so that she may smell it until I leave. She offered me a sweater that she knit me for my birthday.”

- “ March 23rd 1985 : I visited Magdalena tonight. I brought her the ten coils of wool she had asked for from her mother. She asked for a pair of black pants to go with the shirt I had bought her for Christmas. We talk mostly about her upcoming release. She insists that I be there during the formalities, she has little confidence in our rule of law. She asks me if I can go with her to Athens. I tell her yes. The public effect will be deplorable but, if it were the opposite, would I have felt so good about answering yes ?”

- “ April 2nd 1985 : Today is Magdalena’s birthday. I have just enough time to get her a present. Will it be a ring made of gold and steel symbolic to what she represents to her friends (as precious as gold) and to her ennemies (hard as steel) ? Or, the little gold cigarette case from the crazy years of the 20’s ? I choose crazy.”

- “ May 1985: We have to notify Border Services at the Essonne that, according the law, Magdalena has chosen to leave France across the border of her choosing, to come with me to Athens.”

- “ May 5th 1985: I take the plane to Strasbourg… When I get to the hotel, Magdalena is not there. The concierge says she will be back soon. I have the time to ask him for the key to her room and to spread the gifts I have brought her (mine and others) out on her bed.”

- “ May 9th 1985: I called Magdalena this morning to tell her about my conversation with Theo Laclé (ie the infamous Ministry of Interior of Eyadema ,the bloddy dictator of Togo). I asked him
- Would you be ready to accept her in Togo ?
- Why not, if it pleases you.
- Without papers?
- Why not, if you come with her.
Magdalena is very interested. She hasn’t been much in Africa and she was always swept away by the stories I told her from my travels.”

- “ Federal Germany, May 11th 1985: In a restaurant hidden away amidst the trees, now alone, we were finally able to have the simple meal that I had promised Magdalena for her release : smoked fish, flank steak and champagne.”