Marine Le Pen Found Guilty of Misappropriating EU Funds
French politician sentenced to four years in prison and banned from elections for five years
PARIS - Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN), has been found guilty of misappropriating European Union funds along with eight of her party colleagues.
The Paris court's ruling was delivered on Monday, resulting in Le Pen receiving a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended.
Additionally, she has been barred from participating in elections for a period of five years.
The case centered around accusations that Le Pen and her associates had misused public funds allocated for their roles as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) between 2009 and 2017. Prosecutors argued that funds intended for personnel expenses were diverted to pay for other costs, including individuals working on the party's national political campaigns.
This ruling is part of a larger investigation into the financial practices of the National Rally, which has faced scrutiny over its funding and administrative operations.
Le Pen, who has led the party since 2011, has previously denied any wrongdoing, describing the prosecution of her party as politically motivated.
The verdict arrives at a critical time in French politics, with significant implications for the RN and its future in French elections.
Le Pen has been a prominent figure in the French political landscape, having previously run for president in 2017 and 2022.
In light of this decision, the National Rally is expected to respond officially, as the party gears up for its upcoming political activities in the context of France's evolving political environment.
The Paris court's ruling was delivered on Monday, resulting in Le Pen receiving a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended.
Additionally, she has been barred from participating in elections for a period of five years.
The case centered around accusations that Le Pen and her associates had misused public funds allocated for their roles as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) between 2009 and 2017. Prosecutors argued that funds intended for personnel expenses were diverted to pay for other costs, including individuals working on the party's national political campaigns.
This ruling is part of a larger investigation into the financial practices of the National Rally, which has faced scrutiny over its funding and administrative operations.
Le Pen, who has led the party since 2011, has previously denied any wrongdoing, describing the prosecution of her party as politically motivated.
The verdict arrives at a critical time in French politics, with significant implications for the RN and its future in French elections.
Le Pen has been a prominent figure in the French political landscape, having previously run for president in 2017 and 2022.
In light of this decision, the National Rally is expected to respond officially, as the party gears up for its upcoming political activities in the context of France's evolving political environment.
