At the Court of Justice of the Republic,
Tourists who visit the Sainte-Chapelle this Wednesday have no idea that a few meters away, the political future of a Minister of the Republic is at stake. The first civil chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal, in which the CJR hearing is being held, is full to capacity. The Minister of Justice and his lawyers enter the room shortly before 3 p.m. Three shots ring out. ” The courtyard ! » announces the bailiff. The president, Dominique Pauthe, calls the Minister of Justice to the stand.
Dark blue suit, Éric Dupond-Moretti advances with determined steps. He remains stoic, hands crossed behind his back, while the magistrate begins reading the reasons. About twenty minutes later, the decision was made. The Minister of Justice, who was tried for “illegal taking of interests”, is declared “not guilty” and acquitted. Suddenly, his future in government becomes clearer.
The judges of the CJR, the majority of whom are parliamentarians, did not follow the requisitions of the prosecution, which had requested a one-year suspended prison sentence against the Minister of Justice. The court considered in its reasons that the “material element” of the illegal taking of interests was well constituted, but not the intentional element. A bit like if, during a football match, a defender touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area. If the referee judges that the player did not do it on purpose, then he does not whistle a penalty. Here, it’s the same thing. The public prosecutor now has five days to appeal to the Court of Cassation and challenge this decision.
Meet at the Elysée
As soon as the decision is read, Éric Dupond-Moretti leaves through the small door located at the side of the room, without boasting. His car is waiting for him in the Mai courtyard, at the foot of the stairs. The minister will meet at 4 p.m. at the Elysée, to be received by Emmanuel Macron. A way for the Head of State, who had kept him in his post throughout the procedure, to show his support.
The Minister of Justice leaves his two lawyers to face the cohort of journalists waiting for them in the corridors of the courthouse. “That’s what we hoped for, that’s what the law dictated. It’s obviously a satisfaction, an enormous emotion,” declares Me Jacqueline Laffont. “This decision confirms that Éric Dupond-Moretti never wanted revenge against anyone,” says Me Rémi Lorrain. “This file was empty and did not allow criminal proceedings against the minister,” adds the criminal lawyer. The defenders then leave to toast this victory to the two palaces, the café located on the other side of the boulevard.
A “big parliamentary week” awaits him
In the minister’s entourage, it is difficult to hide the joy aroused by this decision. “Obviously it’s a relief,” breathes, moved, one of the former lawyer’s relatives, contacted by 20 minutes. It must be said that the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, quickly wanted to clarify things. “The Minister of Justice will be able to continue to carry out his action within the government team, in the service of the French. I am delighted,” she wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Back to business, then. Éric Dupond-Moretti, who described this trial as “infamy”, “will continue his fight to improve justice in his country”, continues our source. Knowing that a “big parliamentary week” awaits the minister.