• Tweeter

  • republish

Patrick Balkany when he arrived at the Paris court on May 20, 2019 as the second week of the Balkany couple's trial began. AFP PHOTO / Eric Feferberg

This October 22 must be considered the application for release of the mayor of Levallois-Perret, Patrick Balkany, sentenced to four years in prison for tax fraud in September and five years for money laundering October 18.

On September 13, Patrick Balkany was sentenced to four years in prison with a warrant of committal. The same evening he slept in the prison of Health, in Paris. His lawyers immediately appealed the decision and filed an application for release.

They believe that Patrick Balkany's health is deteriorating in prison, and also want him to prepare his appeal on appeal, free. This request must be examined on 22 October by the Paris Court of Appeal.

New money order

But nothing obliges magistrates to render their decision at the end of the hearing. An application for release must be granted or denied within two months. The judges therefore have until November 13, if they wish, to decide.

In addition, a new money order was issued last October 18 against Patrick Balkany, this time for money laundering. The court feared a risk of flight or sending capital abroad. Again, an application for release was immediately made, but it seems very unlikely that this application will be considered as early as 22 October.

► (Re) listen: In Focus: Balkany locked up