Marine Le Pen’s Defense
Marine Le Pen awaited her turn anxiously for seven long hours on October 2nd before being able to speak her mind before the court president, Bénédicte de Perthuis, shortly before 9 p.m. The trial of the European Parliament assistants opened in Paris. The accusation against the RN (National Rally) was that it misused European funds to support the party. The court presented charts showing that the 27 defendants had allegedly embezzled 3,213,000 euros from 2004 to 2016. The RN, as a legal entity, is also being pursued for complicity and concealment of embezzlement of public funds.
Complex Legal Proceedings
The trial involves contracts of parliamentary assistants that were not individually prosecuted, leading to a total amount of 4,503,000 euros under scrutiny. The defense lawyers were surprised by the crucial details in the indictment they overlooked. The period during which the offenses are prosecuted might be extended, as new requirements from the prosecution are expected. Marine Le Pen expressed her frustration at the potential extension of the prevention period and criticized the preconceived ideas manufactured by the European Parliament plaintiffs.
Criticism and Defiance
Le Pen accused the European Parliament administration of bias and errors, calling out the potential political motives behind the investigation. She emphasized the party’s opposition to the EU construct, labeling themselves as the Parliament’s ‘black sheep’. Le Pen strongly criticized the actions of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), pointing out their influence on the Parliament and the judicial process. The OLAF’s timing and handling of the investigation on the RN were questioned, suggesting a targeted approach against the party’s growing influence.
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