French Prosecutor Seeks Five-Year Jail Term for Le Pen
French prosecutors are seeking a five-year prison sentence and an election ban for Marine Le Pen in connection with an embezzlement case. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The former leader of the right-wing National Rally has dismissed allegations of embezzlement, asserting that the case is driven by political motives.
French prosecutors have requested that a judge impose a five-year prison sentence, along with a prohibition on running for public office, on former National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen in connection with an embezzlement case.
Le Pen, alongside 24 other current and former members of the right-wing National Rally, stands accused of misappropriating €3 million in European Parliament funds intended for parliamentary assistants to support internal party activities from 2004 to 2016, in violation of EU law. All defendants have denied any misconduct.
During the court proceedings in Paris on Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Le Pen should face the stiffest penalty due to her role as a member of the European Parliament and as the leader of the National Rally during the time of the alleged infractions. She led the party, formerly known as the National Front, from 2011 to 2021 and continues to be an active member.
Prosecutors indicated that three years of Le Pen’s potential sentence could be suspended, with the remaining two years served under electronic monitoring. They also demanded a fine of €300,000.
Furthermore, they urged for the five-year prohibition on her eligibility for political office to take effect immediately, ahead of any possible appeal from the defense. If convicted, Le Pen would be barred from participating in the presidential election in 2027. During the trial, which commenced in late September, she announced her intention to run for the presidency for a third time.
"It is clear that the only thing the public prosecutors wanted was Marine Le Pen’s exclusion from political life,” Le Pen stated to reporters following the hearings.
Jordan Bardella, the current leader of the National Rally and not a defendant in this case, took to social media platform X to label the prosecutors’ actions an “assault on democracy,” claiming they are “seeking to persecute and take revenge on Marine Le Pen.”
The prosecution also sought a €2 million fine against the National Rally and proposed bans from public office for the other accused ranging from one to five years.
The defense is set to present its arguments to the judge as the trial progresses toward its conclusion on November 27, with a verdict anticipated in early 2025.
In the previous 2022 election, Le Pen was defeated by President Emmanuel Macron in the second round with a vote tally of 58.55% to 41.45%.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
French prosecutors have requested that a judge impose a five-year prison sentence, along with a prohibition on running for public office, on former National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen in connection with an embezzlement case.
Le Pen, alongside 24 other current and former members of the right-wing National Rally, stands accused of misappropriating €3 million in European Parliament funds intended for parliamentary assistants to support internal party activities from 2004 to 2016, in violation of EU law. All defendants have denied any misconduct.
During the court proceedings in Paris on Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Le Pen should face the stiffest penalty due to her role as a member of the European Parliament and as the leader of the National Rally during the time of the alleged infractions. She led the party, formerly known as the National Front, from 2011 to 2021 and continues to be an active member.
Prosecutors indicated that three years of Le Pen’s potential sentence could be suspended, with the remaining two years served under electronic monitoring. They also demanded a fine of €300,000.
Furthermore, they urged for the five-year prohibition on her eligibility for political office to take effect immediately, ahead of any possible appeal from the defense. If convicted, Le Pen would be barred from participating in the presidential election in 2027. During the trial, which commenced in late September, she announced her intention to run for the presidency for a third time.
"It is clear that the only thing the public prosecutors wanted was Marine Le Pen’s exclusion from political life,” Le Pen stated to reporters following the hearings.
Jordan Bardella, the current leader of the National Rally and not a defendant in this case, took to social media platform X to label the prosecutors’ actions an “assault on democracy,” claiming they are “seeking to persecute and take revenge on Marine Le Pen.”
The prosecution also sought a €2 million fine against the National Rally and proposed bans from public office for the other accused ranging from one to five years.
The defense is set to present its arguments to the judge as the trial progresses toward its conclusion on November 27, with a verdict anticipated in early 2025.
In the previous 2022 election, Le Pen was defeated by President Emmanuel Macron in the second round with a vote tally of 58.55% to 41.45%.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
