Former Justice Minister appeals conviction for defamation
Éric Dupond-Moretti was found guilty of defaming a magistrate in a book. The Paris tribunal imposed a suspended fine and damages against him, but he was acquitted on a second charge.
Former Justice Minister appeals conviction for defamation
The Paris Criminal Court issued a ruling on Tuesday 23 June condemning former Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti for making defamatory remarks against a magistrate. He immediately decided to lodge an appeal.
The facts concern a book published by the former lawyer, titled I Said Yes. In this work, Dupond-Moretti wrote that Édouard Levrault, an investigating judge seconded to the Principality of Monaco, had breached the confidentiality of proceedings in a case in which the author had himself been a party as defence counsel. The targeted magistrate then sought justice by filing a direct summons.
The Paris court imposed a fine of 500 euros with a suspended sentence on the former Justice Minister, supplemented by 4,000 euros in civil damages to be paid to the complainant. This sum is to be paid jointly by the publisher Michel Lafon. On another complaint by the same magistrate relating to a second book, Dupond-Moretti was instead acquitted.
Through his lawyer Jacqueline Laffont-Haïk, the former minister stated that he "firmly contests the reasoning" of the decision. The appeal he announced has the effect of freezing the application of the sentence, in accordance with the principle that the appellant remains presumed innocent until the superior court has ruled.
Source: franceinfo
Source: franceinfo - Justice