France's Justice Minister Dupond-Moretti on Trial for Conflict of Interest, Risks 5 Years in Prison and €500,000 Fine

Accusations claim Dupond-Moretti used position to settle personal scores and target magistrates who previously investigated him; case marks first time in modern French history a serving minister is put on trial, raising concerns about the credibility of the justice system.

• French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti is on trial for allegedly using his position to settle personal scores, specifically to target magistrates who investigated him, his friends or his former clients.
• Dupond-Moretti's refusal to resign or step aside during the trial has drawn criticism. His trial marks the first time in modern France a serving minister is put on trial.
• The trial focuses on Dupond-Moretti's conduct shortly after his appointment as justice minister, when he ordered exploratory investigations into three magistrates from the national financial prosecutor’s office and a former investigating judge in Monaco; allegations suggest these investigations may have been personal reprisals.
• The justice minister's trial is being conducted by a special court unique to offenses by government members, the Court of Justice of the Republic, where he faces a combination of professional magistrates and members of parliament.
• If convicted, Dupond-Moretti faces up to five years in prison and a half million euros in fines. Despite the trial, he intends to continue performing his ministerial duties.

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