French justice minister acquitted in unprecedented conflict of interest case
UPDATE: A special court has cleared France’s justice minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, of conflict of interest, ruling he was not guilty of having used his office to settle personal scores.
Issued on: Modified:
Once a high-profile lawyer, Dupond-Moretti was accused of abusing his position to order probes targeting magistrates who investigated him, his friends and his former clients.
Wednesday’s ruling marks a political victory for the justice minister, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and refused to resign before or during his two-week trial.
He was tried in a special court reserved for alleged wrongdoing by government officials, the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR), which is often criticised for being soft on government members.
Three professional magistrates joined by 12 members of parliament – six from the lower house and six from the Senate – deliberated the case.
The proceedings marked the first time in modern France that a government minister was put on trial while still in office, according to legal historians.
Controversial figure
Dupond-Moretti, a pugnacious former defence lawyer, was charged two years ago with misusing his position to settle scores with opponents from his legal career.
He has stirred controversy as a minister, including for allegedly sexist remarks towards women reporters and for an offensive hand gesture during a parliamentary debate.
His trial related to administrative inquiries into three judges.
In 2014, the judges ordered police to examine the phone records of dozens of lawyers and magistrates, including Dupond-Moretti, as part of an investigation into former president Nicolas Sarkozy.
The judiciary has accused Dupond-Moretti – who also ordered a fourth judge to be investigated in an unrelated case – of a witch hunt, while the minister retorted that his accusers were "biased".
At the start of proceedings earlier this month, Dupond-Moretti said: "For me and my loved ones this trial is an infamy."
Government's backing
President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne have supported Dupond-Moretti throughout the case.
Dupond-Moretti could have faced up to five years in prison, a fine of up to €500,000 and a ban from holding public office.
But the prosecutor had recommended a one-year suspended prison sentence for the 62 year old.
Around 20 witnesses were summoned to testify in the case, including ex-prime minister Jean Castex and former high court chief prosecutor François Molins.
(with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe