The trial of Eric Dupond-Moretti before the CJR: his lawyers demand his release
A suspicion of illegal taking of interests
The Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, is currently being tried by the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) on suspicion of illegal taking of interests. This accusation is linked to his former functions as a lawyer, before being appointed Keeper of the Seals.
Adopting an offensive line of defense, the minister's lawyers requested this Monday the release of their client, maintaining that the trial is unfounded and arguing that their adversaries only seek to tarnish the image of the accused.
The Defense of Dupond-Moretti
The lawyers of Eric Dupond-Moretti fiercely oppose these accusations and have pleaded for the release of their client. They stressed that the simple fact of having carried out an administrative investigation against magistrates who could have been in conflict of interest with him as a lawyer, is not a sufficient reason to claim an illegal taking of interest. .
They also recalled that the minister has respected all the legal procedures required at all levels of this matter from the beginning, and that this has always been the case throughout his career.
The Prosecution's Position
The prosecution, for its part, maintains that Eric Dupond-Moretti used his position as Minister of Justice to take revenge on investigators from the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) who embarrassed him in the past. By doing so, he would have demonstrated an illegal taking of interest.
This affair broke out following the audit that the Minister of Justice had ordered on the PNF during the summer of 2020. This judicial entity had been responsible for the investigation into the famous “wiretapping of Sarkozy”, a case in which the minister had defended the former president as a lawyer.
Waiting for the verdict
Éric Dupond-Moretti denounced an attempt at “personal destruction” in his trial before the CJR. For the moment, he is still in office and no decision has been made regarding possible sanctions arising from this trial. The court is currently in deliberations and its verdict will certainly be scrutinized by the entire French political and judicial sphere.
