Famous criminal lawyer, Henri Leclerc died on Saturday, August 31 at the age of 90. This Monday, September 9, his loved ones gathered to say goodbye to him. The funeral took place in the Salle de la Coupole of the Père-Lachaise crematorium in Paris. Among those present, photographers were able to recognize Dominique Strauss-Kahn, accompanied by his wife, Myriam. Indeed, if the former minister is present, it is because he had Henri Leclerc as his lawyer during the Carlton affair in Lille. An investigation around René Kojfer, responsible for public relations for the Carlton and Tours hotels, who organized “parties fines” during which several public figures benefited from the services of prostitutes. These facts were revealed in 2011 and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, director of the International Monetary Fund and already implicated in a rape case at the time, was allegedly present at these parties.
Another political figure who came to pay tribute to the late lawyer was the outgoing Minister of Justice, Éric Dupond-Moretti, and the former Minister of the Economy, Arnaud Montebourg. Some of Henri Leclerc’s colleagues also came to say goodbye to him, dressed in their lawyer’s robes. Thierry Herzog, who defended Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as Bernard Tapie’s lawyer, Francis Szpiner, were present that day. In front of the crematorium’s Dome, Aline, Henri Leclerc’s daughter, welcomed those who came to pay their last respects to the criminal lawyer. In the middle of the crowd, she struggled to hold back her tears.
PHOTOS – Dominique Strauss-Kahn and his wife Myriam in mourning: their moving farewell to Henri Leclerc
Éric Dupond-Moretti: his touching words after the death of Henri Leclerc
Following the announcement of Henri Leclerc’s death, tributes were numerous. On the political side, the outgoing Minister of Justice, Éric Dupond-Moretti, made a point of sending a message to the late lawyer. “Dear Henri, you often said ‘if there is only one left, I will be the one'”, writes the Minister of Justice on X (formerly Twitter) “With your passing, we have lost a tireless defender of freedoms whose commitment and talent left their mark on the bar and our entire justice system. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.” A beautiful tribute.
Photo credits: DOMINIQUE JACOVIDES / BESTIMAGE
