فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Before her appearance before the Paris Criminal Court, Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party in the National Assembly, expressed her confidence to reporters, stating, “We have not violated any laws,” and she felt reassured.
The trial, which could impact her political future, is set to last for two months.
Le Pen explained that she possesses several pieces of evidence that will support her defense of what she considers “parliamentary freedom” related to this case.
Upon entering the courtroom, she sat in the front row alongside the party’s accountant, Nicolas Crochet, and her close aide, Catherine Griset.
The list of defendants includes nine former Members of the European Parliament from the National Front, including Le Pen, Louis Aliot, who now serves as the party’s vice president, former National Front vice president Bruno Gollnisch, and party spokesperson Julien Odoul.
Twelve of their parliamentary aides and four other party aides are also on trial, with proceedings continuing until November 27.
This case dates back to 2015 when the European Parliament launched an investigation into allegations of fictitious jobs for parliamentary assistants over more than ten years (2004-2016).
If the charges are proven, penalties related to embezzlement and fraud could reach up to ten years in prison, in addition to fines amounting to double the embezzled amounts.
If convicted, Le Pen could be barred from holding public office for ten years, posing a threat to her plans to run for president in 2027.
The decision to refer her to trial was made by judges from France’s financial crime investigation unit, where she and her party members are accused of using European Parliament funds to pay salaries for aides who were, in fact, working for the party.
Le Pen and the other defendants deny all charges against them, with the National Rally party, formerly known as the National Front, describing these proceedings as “political persecution.”
The European Parliament, as the civil party in the case, estimated the financial damages at around €3 million and is seeking to recover €2 million of this amount, noting that €1 million has already been repaid, which the party does not view as an admission of guilt.
source : fesnews media
