French Justice Minister Rules Out Pause in Fillon, Le Pen Probes

© REUTERS / Eric GaillardFigures of Francois Fillon (L), former French prime minister, member of The Republicans political party and 2017 presidential candidate of the French centre-right, and French National Front leader Marine Le Pen are paraded through the crowd during the 133rd Carnival parade, the first major event since the city was attacked during Bastille Day celebrations last year in Nice, France, February 11, 2017
Figures of Francois Fillon (L), former French prime minister, member of The Republicans political party and 2017 presidential candidate of the French centre-right, and French National Front leader Marine Le Pen are paraded through the crowd during the 133rd Carnival parade, the first major event since the city was attacked during Bastille Day celebrations last year in Nice, France, February 11, 2017 - Sputnik International
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French Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas said Sunday he had no plans to pause probes against presidential frontrunners and their relatives.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Conservative candidate Francois Fillon said earlier the inquiry into his wife’s parliamentary work should be paused during the presidential race. Penelope Fillon is suspected of receiving over $500,000 for the work she did not do.

"This argument [about the presidential campaign] is used because there is no legal basis [for a pause]," Urvoas told Journal du Dimanche. "In my opinion, nothing would justify it."

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 25, 2016 shows Francois Fillon (C), candidate for the right-wing primaries ahead of the French 2017 presidential election, and his wife Penelope (L) attending a campaign rally in Paris, ahead of the primary's second round on November 27 - Sputnik International
Almost Quarter of Frenchmen Say 'Penelopegate' Aims to Discredit Fillon – Poll
The justice chief also slammed far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for ignoring summons for police questioning after she was accused of giving EU parliament assistance jobs to her aide and bodyguard, which were paid with EU money.

Le Pen is protected by European parliamentary immunity. She refused to attend judicial police questionings before legislative elections this year, but Urvoas said the message she sent by doing this was "deplorable."

The French presidential race has been marred by scandals, thus, indirectly helping independent Emmanuel Macron to pull ahead of Fillon, the previous favorite to challenge Le Pen in the runoff of the voting.

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