Up to eight years in prison were requested on Wednesday in Paris in the resounding kidnapping case of Paul Pogba, prosecutors criticizing a “financial dependence” which “corrupted” the relations between the footballer, his brother and five childhood friends .
“How can a brother and friends come together to recover extraordinary sums from one of the most precious people in their lives? », asked one of the two prosecutors, addressing the six defendants.
His brother, Mathias Pogba, dressed all in black, kept his eyes closed during the announcement of the requested sentence: three years in prison, two of which were suspended, as well as a fine of 10,000 euros.
The rest after this ad
Taking note of the absence of a criminal record and the defendant's desire to find work, the prosecution requested that the one-year sentence be placed under an electronic bracelet.
The rest after this ad
Paul Pogba's eldest child “was not aware of the beginnings of the plan” for sequestration, estimates the prosecution, but he is accused of having joined the group and played “an active role” to harm Paul Pogba and attempt to extract 13 million euros from him through multiple pressures on him, his family and his professional entourage.
“Why would Mathias join this project when he was exposed by being on the front line? “, said Mbeko Tabula, counsel to Mathias Pogba, indignantly, before asking for his client's release.
The rest after this ad
The rest after this ad
“Yes, there was tension between the two brothers, as happens in all families, it’s the nature of human beings! “, he continued. “But using these conflicts to talk about attempted extortion, that’s exploitation and it’s not good! »
The shadow of Paul Pogba
Against the five childhood friends from the Renardière district in Roissy-en-Brie (Seine-et-Marne), the prosecutors requested up to eight years in prison, fines of 20,000 euros and a ban of carrying a weapon for ten years.
-Against Roushdane K., suspected of being the mastermind of the group and the only one to appear detained, the public prosecutor requested eight years of imprisonment.
Against Machikour K., Boubacar C., Mamadou M., five years in prison, two of which were suspended, and a deferred committal warrant were requested.
The representatives of the prosecution requested five years in prison, including one year suspended against Adama C., with an immediate committal warrant.
The “Pogba affair” started on the night of March 19 to 20, 2022 with an ambush set up against Paul Pogba in an apartment in Montévrain (Seine-et-Marne, Paris suburb).
Two hooded men held him up at gunpoint in an attempt to extract 13 million euros from the midfielder, who was playing at Manchester United and then Juventus Turin at the time.
The affair came to light after the broadcast of videos on social networks in August 2022 by Mathias Pogba in which he accused Paul of having marabouted Kylian Mbappé.
Since the start of the trial, a shadow has loomed over the room: that of Paul Pogba, who did not wish to appear.
An absence which was once again denounced during the defense pleadings. “His statements obviously occupied a central place but none of these statements could be corroborated during the debates,” regretted Me Yves Leberquier, lawyer for Machikour K.
The defendants have been on trial for a week, notably for extortion, attempted extortion, participation in a criminal association and false imprisonment.
On Tuesday, Paul Pogba's lawyers requested fines against all defendants and no prison sentence at his request.
The trial continues until Thursday evening with further closing arguments from defense attorneys.
