Overview
- The Paris Criminal Court handed down sentences to ten defendants, including one six-month custodial term imposed in absentia for failure to appear.
- Eight defendants received suspended terms ranging from four to eight months, and one was ordered to complete an online-offense awareness course.
- Prosecutors said the case centered on social media insults and rumors about the first lady’s identity and the couple’s age difference.
- Among those tried were writer Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, known as "Zoe Sagan," medium Amandine Ruo (Delphine Jegousse), and gallery owner Bertrand Scholler, whom prosecutors had previously characterized as organizers.
- Separate proceedings continue as the Macrons appeal July acquittals to France’s Court of Cassation and pursue a U.S. defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens seeking a jury trial and damages, with their lawyer Tom Clare pledging to present photos and purported scientific evidence.