The trial of Marine Le Pen, 24 other people and the National Rally suspected of having embezzled funds from the European Parliament between 2004 and 2016 – the party was then called National Front (FN) – to pay party employees, s opens, Monday September 30, before the Paris criminal court. A case with heavy political stakes for the leader of the far right. She faces ten years in prison, a fine of up to one million euros and an additional penalty of ten years of ineligibility. Follow our live stream.
Nine former FN MEPs will appear. During this trial, nine former FN MEPs will appear, including Marine Le Pen, Louis Aliot, now vice-president of the RN, the former number 2 of the party Bruno Gollnisch, and the deputy and spokesperson of the RN Julien Odoul. Alongside them, 12 people who were their parliamentary assistants and four party collaborators will also be tried in this trial scheduled to be held for three half-days per week until November 27.
What role for Jordan Bardella? He is not referred to the criminal court, but his name will hang over the trial. In an investigative book by journalist Tristan Berteloot, The Winning Machine: Revelations about the RN marching towards the ElyséeJordan Bardella is accused of having also been part of the “diversion system” of European public funds, by fabricating false evidence.
“We are not afraid of this trial,” maintains Laurent Jacobelli. This trial is “a moment of truth”a moment for “defend the freedom of parliamentarians”argued Monday on franceinfo the spokesperson for the RN, Laurent Jacobelli. “We are not afraid of this trial, we go into it with our heads held high”he added.
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