Jacques Serais with AFP / Photo credits: Bertrand GUAY / AFP
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7:19 a.m., November 7, 2023
The Minister of Justice Éric Dupond-Moretti on Monday described his trial as “infamy” for him and for his “relatives”, during his first speech before the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) which judges him for conflict of interest. “Until these last hours, I did not defend myself,” declared the minister at the bar, “basically so as not to have my ministry and my action tarnished.” “I intend to defend myself with dignity, completely, but I intend to defend myself firmly.”
“A challenge, but also a relief”
During the statement of the facts, 1h40 of very detailed account, the rebellious deputy Daniel Obono, in magistrate’s dress, dozed off. The elected environmentalist Julien Bayou is chewing gum, his eyes on his phone.
“You said you were waiting calmly to explain yourself,” the president of the CJR, Dominique Pauthe, had just said to him as he finished reading the report on the facts, “I believe, Éric Dupond-Moretti, that the time has come.” “I think we will come back at length to all the elements that you mentioned,” began the Minister of Justice on the stand, after having adjusted the microphones to his height.
“I would like to briefly tell you in what state of mind I find myself in front of you… For me and for my loved ones, this trial is an infamy,” he said in a calm voice. “It is of course an ordeal but it is also a relief because I came to defend myself,” added the minister, arguing that “for three and a half years” we had “trampled on (his) presumption of innocence” with “lies”, “untruths”, sometimes “insults”.
Tried for “illegal taking of interests”
Éric Dupond-Moretti, tried for “illegal taking of interests”, is suspected of having used his position as minister to settle scores with four magistrates with whom he had disagreements when he was a lawyer. An unprecedented case, which makes him the first serving Minister of Justice to be tried.
“Mr. President, this trial in my eyes is first and foremost a trial of illegitimacy”, also said the former star of the bar, recalling that the magistrates’ unions, at the origin of the complaint filed against him, had described his appointment at Place Vendôme to everyone’s surprise in July 2020 as a “declaration of war”. “I was a lawyer for thirty-six years, some lawyers criticized me for no longer being one, certain magistrates for having been one,” he also said. “Naturally,” he concluded, “I will answer all questions.”
The hearing was suspended and will resume Tuesday at 9 a.m. with the questioning of Eric Dupond-Moretti. His trial is scheduled until November 16, the decision of the CJR should be reserved.