- Title: French Leftist leader goes on trial on intimidation charges
- Date: 19th September 2019
- Summary: BOBIGNY, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 19, 2019) (REUTERS) MELENCHON AND CROWD ARRIVING SUPPORTERS CHANTING CROWD CHANTING AS MELENCHON APPROACHES COURTHOUSE ENTRANCE MELENCHON BY ENTRANCE, WAVING AT CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (French) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FROM FRANCE UNBOWED PARTY, MATHILDE PANOT, SAYING: "We are undergoing trial because we spoke too loudly from outside the door. Let me remind that all the policeman interrogated said on taped testimonies that they did not feel physically threatened, and so we haven't exercised violence. And so, we are considered as a rebellion, which is in fact not true. So first, we expect the charges to be dropped, as well as more awareness, and that's why we have put out a call regarding a justice war to say that democracy is in danger. It's unacceptable for a political opposition to be criminalised in this way." LAWYERS ARRIVING FOR TRIAL VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS GATHERED IN FRONT OF COURTHOUSE ENTRANCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) MELENCHON SUPPORTER FROM PARIS, SERGE, SAYING: "This case has been blown out of proportion starting from a serious concern for democracy, which is the raid of a political party during which practically no violence occurred, or just minor violence with a policeman, but it's not worth it to put on a trial on that. This trial is about blowing this case out of proportion to discredit an opposition leader who has the right to speak out, just like every other opponent of the current government. It's not normal to do politics in court." BANNER ON OVERPASS TOWARDS COURTHOUSE READING (French): "SO THAT POLITICAL TRIALS WOULD STOP" (SOUNDBITE) (French) MEMLENCHON SUPPORTER FROM PARIS, MARC TENANT, SAYING: "In general, we have a political trial, and they are considering that being in the opposition constitutes a crime. It's clearly that. Then, whether it be about Melenchon or not does not matter. It just so happens that Melenchon is the one on trial, and he's also someone who say interesting and consistent things. I think without a doubt that that has irked some people." PEOPLE ON WALKWAY TOWARDS COURTHOUSE
- Embargoed: 3rd October 2019 10:07
- Keywords: France opposition allegations Emmanuel Macron court trial France Unbowed hearing Jean-Luc Melenchon Bobigny
- Location: BOBIGNY AND PARIS, FRANCE
- City: BOBIGNY AND PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
- Reuters ID: LVA003AXBP7BB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon, one of France's main opposition leaders, arrived at a courthouse outside Paris on Thursday (September 19) at the start of his trial on charges of intimidating officials who were investigating him over possible funding irregularities.
The 68-year-old head of La France Insoumise (France Unbowed), famous for his emotional style, has cast the trial as political, saying the aim was to destroy him.
He arrived 45 minutes ahead of time at the court in Bobigny, just outside Paris, without making any statement. He waved to supporters gathered outside the courthouse.
Melenchon, a spearhead of the opposition against French President Emmanuel Macron's economic policies and a supporter of the recent "Yellow vest" anti-government protests, won an unprecedented 19.5 percent in the first round of the 2017 presidential election.
The trial relates to 2018 raids on his home and party offices conducted at the behest of the public prosecutor's office in Paris.
In footage shot by reporters at the scene of the raids, Melenchon and his entourage are seen yelling at the prosecutor and police officers while other supporters were breaking into the premises that had just been sealed off for the search.
Melenchon is on trial with five other people, including two members of parliament from his party.
On the separate funding allegations, prosecutors have launched two preliminary investigations, one into alleged misuse of European parliament funds and the other into suspected funding irregularities in Melenchon's presidential campaign.
(Production: Clotaire Achi, Ardee Napolitano) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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