Categories: News

Le Pen’s defense tries to stop her disqualification

Last days of the trial against Marine Le Pen embezzlement of european public fundsHis lawyer has demanded his acquittal. A French far-right leader is being prosecuted for fraudulent use of parliamentary assistants paid by the European Parliament.

The lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, has, first of all, made an effort avoid the penalty of disqualification Which may prevent Le Pen, who has been a presidential candidate three times in 2012, 2017 and 2022, from participating in the next elections in 2027.

Marine Le Pen is accused of embezzlement for this role four parliamentary assistants which he was paid for by the European Parliament with eight contracts, and which, according to the allegation, was actually He did not perform tasks related to his position as MEPBut he worked for the party. At that time the organization was called the National Front (FN) and was later renamed the National Group (RN).

Bosselut launched her arguments before the Paris Correctional Court against the prosecutor’s office, which has requested Le Pen be convicted. includes fines two years in jail

(which he will not serve behind bars), a 300,000 euro fine and one five years disqualification Applicable immediately even in case of appeal. Bosselut complained of “criminalization of the right to defence”.

“This is a court order “Weapon of mass destruction of democratic game”Defense counsel criticized. Bosselut has assured that there is “seriousness” of the accusation.unfair and unreasonable” and “raises doubts about the intentions of the judicial institution.” He added, “Provisional execution would have disproportionate, irreparable and irreparable legal consequences that would amount to a fixed sentence.”

Use of “banal and anodyne”

Bosselut insisted that the statute of limitations for charges for two crimes, embezzlement and embezzlement of public funds, expire before the enactment of a law known as “Sapin 2” in 2016, which automatically impeaches politicians. Imposes a penalty of disqualification of five years for those responsible for these violations in the exercise of public office.

The lawyer emphasized that, considering that Marine Le Pen The above rule cannot be appliedIf he wanted to impose a penalty of disqualification, which would no longer be automatic, the court would have to debate its relevance, and in his opinion this would not be possible.

Bosselut acknowledged that in the nearly two months since the process began against the number one of the extreme right and against 25 other members and associates of the National Front, there have been “two parallel approaches” that “may seem unrelated” to the defendants. And the Prosecutor’s Office. Le Pen condemned the court order the day after What they demand is his “political death”

According to their version, the use that the FN made of its parliamentary assistants from the European Parliament’s money during the period of accusation from 2004 to 2016 was “not only banal and unpleasant, because it was shared by all the counterpart European parties opposed. of”, but it was “free from any fraudulent intent”. The Prosecutor’s Office has emphasized that the party had already been condemned

For embezzlement of funds. Prosecutors concluded, “We are not in a political forum, but in a judicial forum and the law applies to all.”

“Good faith” and “intention to persuade”

The lawyer has pointed to the temperament that Marine Le Pen has shown in front of the court. Political leaders have been involved in almost all the hearings since the trial began intent to explain” And to show “his entire goodwill.” “He has come like those who know that they are innocent. This is his strength,” the lawyer commented, before adding that “he has answered all the questions seriously, he has not dodged any.”

Bosselut called on the Court to “return to the law beyond prejudices and preconceived notions.” He said, “We can blame him for many things, but not for contempt of court or the prosecutor’s office. Is there any arrogance in defending oneself?”

Today is the last hearing of this process which started on September 30. When Bosselut’s defense is finished, the President of the Court will give the last words to each person on the bench and a sentencing hearing will be held. It will be released on 31 March 2025.

Source link

Admin