AFP: France initiates fresh investigation related to Le Pen trial
An investigation has been initiated by French prosecutors regarding threats directed at the judge involved in the case against right-wing presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. According to reports from AFP, Le Pen, the former leader of the...
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An investigation has been initiated by French prosecutors regarding threats directed at the judge involved in the case against right-wing presidential candidate Marine Le Pen.
According to reports from AFP, Le Pen, the former leader of the conservative National Rally party, was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison—of which two years are suspended and two will be served under electronic monitoring—along with a significant fine and a five-year prohibition from holding public office.
The court found her guilty of misappropriating European Parliament funds, alleging that she diverted these funds from official duties to support party activities in France, thereby disqualifying her from contesting in the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen has refuted the charges against her and has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
The conviction incited considerable backlash from her supporters, leading to expressions of anger on social media. French media have reported that Judge Benedicte de Perthuis, who oversaw the case in Paris, received “a large number of messages containing clearly expressed personal threats.” Following the ruling, she was placed under police protection, with officers reportedly stationed outside her residence.
On Tuesday, AFP disclosed that the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office had launched an investigation into the threats, citing a source familiar with the situation. The case has been assigned to the Brigade for Repression of Crimes Against the Person, a specialized police unit focused on serious offenses.
This marks the second investigation related to threats associated with Le Pen's trial. An earlier inquiry commenced in January concerning death threats posted on the far-right site Riposte Laique. Those postings, which have since been removed, targeted Judge de Perthuis as well as prosecutors Louise Neyton and Nicolas Barret.
Le Pen, who has criticized NATO's presence in Europe and EU sanctions on Russia, has previously run for president three times, securing second place in both 2017 and 2022. Presently, her party holds the highest number of seats in the National Assembly, and a recent Ifop poll indicates that her approval rating surpasses that of her closest potential rival in the presidential race, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, by over ten points.
She asserts that her conviction was driven by political motives and has committed to challenging it. The Paris Court of Appeal stated on Tuesday that it anticipates making a decision on Le Pen's case by summer 2026, potentially allowing her to participate in the 2027 election if the ruling is overturned.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
According to reports from AFP, Le Pen, the former leader of the conservative National Rally party, was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison—of which two years are suspended and two will be served under electronic monitoring—along with a significant fine and a five-year prohibition from holding public office.
The court found her guilty of misappropriating European Parliament funds, alleging that she diverted these funds from official duties to support party activities in France, thereby disqualifying her from contesting in the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen has refuted the charges against her and has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
The conviction incited considerable backlash from her supporters, leading to expressions of anger on social media. French media have reported that Judge Benedicte de Perthuis, who oversaw the case in Paris, received “a large number of messages containing clearly expressed personal threats.” Following the ruling, she was placed under police protection, with officers reportedly stationed outside her residence.
On Tuesday, AFP disclosed that the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office had launched an investigation into the threats, citing a source familiar with the situation. The case has been assigned to the Brigade for Repression of Crimes Against the Person, a specialized police unit focused on serious offenses.
This marks the second investigation related to threats associated with Le Pen's trial. An earlier inquiry commenced in January concerning death threats posted on the far-right site Riposte Laique. Those postings, which have since been removed, targeted Judge de Perthuis as well as prosecutors Louise Neyton and Nicolas Barret.
Le Pen, who has criticized NATO's presence in Europe and EU sanctions on Russia, has previously run for president three times, securing second place in both 2017 and 2022. Presently, her party holds the highest number of seats in the National Assembly, and a recent Ifop poll indicates that her approval rating surpasses that of her closest potential rival in the presidential race, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, by over ten points.
She asserts that her conviction was driven by political motives and has committed to challenging it. The Paris Court of Appeal stated on Tuesday that it anticipates making a decision on Le Pen's case by summer 2026, potentially allowing her to participate in the 2027 election if the ruling is overturned.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
