Marine Le Pen’s condemnation caused a storm of political fire. This is what really happened. – Politico

All defendants except one, an accountant, have been found guilty and imposed on fines, suspended prison sentences – which would all be purged under residence – and ineligibility prohibitions at various lengths.

What evidence did the prosecutors had … and how did the defendants reacted?

Prosecutors presented several particularly overwhelming evidence during hundreds of hours of legal proceedings.

They shared an SMS that an assistant sent to the Pen to ask him if he could be presented to the deputy for deputy for whom he was supposed to work – months after being hired. They also revealed that an alleged assistant had only exchanged SMS with his supposed employer during an eight month contract.

In its decision, the court stressed that its conclusion was not based solely on the lack of proof of work. The judges also noted that some of the assistants’ tasks were incompatible with a full -time parliamentary assistant role – such as working as a personal assistant or bodyguard of the president. One of the accused, Thierry Légier, was Le Pen’s bodyguard and his father Jean-Marie before that. He now seems to be the bodyguard of the president of the Jordan Bardella party and was photographed on Tuesday.

During the trial, the defense did not dispute the substance of the accusations. Instead, he argued that the distinction between the work of a politician as a legislator and as a member of the party was artificial.

Le Pen’s lawyer admitted on Monday that their strategy was “not successful”.

Why are Le Pen and his allies in arms on the verdict?

In most cases in France, defendants may have their punishment temporarily lifted by using a verdict, how allegedly innocent.