Overview

• The documentary 'Le Procès de Klaus Barbie,' directed by Gabriel Le Bomin, premieres on France 2, offering a detailed retelling of the 1987 trial using archival footage and survivor testimonies.
• This trial was the first in France for crimes against humanity, with Barbie, known as 'Le Boucher de Lyon,' convicted for the torture and deportation of thousands during World War II.
• Barbie evaded justice for decades, assuming a new identity in Bolivia with assistance from the U.S. and Bolivian governments, before his extradition to France in 1983.
• The documentary highlights the emotional testimonies of victims, who confronted their tormentor in court, and the legal and societal challenges of delivering justice under intense media scrutiny.
• The series emphasizes the enduring impact of the trial on France's collective memory and the importance of preserving historical accountability through recorded archives.