The heated trial of Jean-Luc Mélenchon and five of his relatives began Thursday in Bobigny with the broadcast of videos of the eventful search at the headquarters of LFI in October, which earned them prosecution for rebellion and intimidation.
The trial, scheduled for two days, opened shortly after 9:30 in an electric climate, fueled by the repeated attacks of the leader Insoumis against justice. To the judge who asked him if he agreed to appear, Jean-Luc Mélenchon replied: "I do not think I have a choice, but yes."
Crazy laughs in a crowded room
After a few technical hiccups, this first morning of audience was devoted to the viewing of the images shot by the press during the search of October 16, 2018, to which Mr. Mélenchon had opposed with virulence affirming in particular: "The Republic, It's me !"
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Some sequences caused laughter in a crowded courtroom. Some tense exchanges between parties took place as images passed by without sound. "The political trial of the rebellious organized by Belloubet turned to the dumb joke," quipped on Twitter the boss of the Unsleeping during the hearing.
"Resistance", "Macron resignation"
After a suspension at 12:40, Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his co-defendants - including MPs Alexis Corbière and Bastien Lachaud - are out of court, greeted by a forest of cameras and microphones and dozens of activists shouting "Resistance", "Thank you Jean Luc "or" Macron resignation ". Many elected LFI have made the trip, including MPs Adrien Quatennens, François Ruffin and Danièle Obono.
The leader of LFI made his way without saying a word, as when he arrived at the courthouse where he had left Alexis Corbière to lead the charge. "It's all out of the ordinary, disproportionate," he said. "We will hear arguments (...) that will make it clear that from the beginning, this case is political". However, the trial was almost postponed after a request for referral to the hearing by the prosecution, which made the accused jump.