French Justice Minister Indicted for Possible Conflict of Interest

PARIS (Sputnik) - French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti stood trial on Friday and was charged in a case involving possible conflict of interest, his lawyer said.

The justice chief was summoned to the Law Court of the Republic, the only body empowered in France to consider complaints against government officials.

During the hearing, Dupond-Morretti was accused of using his office to settle accounts with certain judicial officials with whom he had previously had issues when working as a lawyer, according to Christophe Ingrain, a member of his defence. Related complaints were filed by three magistrates' unions and the anti-corruption association Anticor.

"They did not explain to him the reasons why the investigative commission considered that the evidence was serious and coincidental", the lawyer added.

This video grab taken from AFPTV on July 16, 2021, shows France's Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti speaking to the press as he arrives at the Court of Justice for questioning in Paris. - French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti appeared in court on July 16,2021, for questioning that could lead to charges over alleged conflict of interest. The 60-year-old star lawyer was recruited by President Emmanuel Macron just a year ago, swapping his life as one of the country's most famous criminal lawyers for a career in politics.

© AFP 2023 / GUILLAUME BERTRAND

The minister denies all accusations, while his defence intends to file a motion to dismiss all charges next week.