Paris (AFP)

"We no longer have a round" and "no intention to flee": for the second time in two weeks, Patrick Balkany came Tuesday to ask his release before the Court of Appeal of Paris, after his conviction in the veil laundering of his lawsuit.

The mayor of Levallois-Perret LR (Hauts-de-Seine), held in Paris prison health since September 13, will be set next Wednesday.

He appeared the crumpled mine in the box of the defendants, seeming to float in his gray shirt. "Of course, I stand at the disposal of the court for the appeal," he assured the president, adding that he suffered "a lot" and wanted only one thing: out of prison to be with his wife and first assistant, Isabelle.

At the end of October, the Paris Court of Appeal granted the first of two release requests filed by the former deputy, sentenced to four years in prison for tax evasion with immediate imprisonment in September, and five years in prison. for aggravated money laundering with a new money order on 18 October.

For each of his convictions, 71-year-old Patrick Balkany filed for release. In order for him to get out of jail before his appellate trials, the judges must also accept the second motion. Since the two cases are closely related, the first decision should set the tone for the second.

The court of appeal had considered "founded" the request of the elected and ordered his placement under judicial control, with several obligations: do not leave the territory, do not go to Paris and several surrounding departments - including his Department of Hauts -de-Seine - but also to set up his residence in Giverny (Eure), point to the gendarmerie once a week, hand in his passport. This "subject to" the payment of a deposit of 500,000 euros.

"Anyway, Giverny is my usual home," said Patrick Balkany, shrugging his shoulders. And the passport? "I found it in the file, but it has expired since June 2019," says President François Reygrobellet. "Well that does not surprise me," replies the elected.

- "Dry release" -

The president wants to know how Patrick Balkany "fits" with his conviction for laundering tax evasion, "all these companies abroad ...". The baron of Hauts-de-Seine finds a little of its superb to tell, once again, the money inherited from his father survivor of Auschwitz and placed in Switzerland, without really answering.

"You dispute all", concerning the money laundering, for which the mayor was sentenced to 5 years in prison and ten years of ineligibility, that the passive corruption, for which he was released, sums up the president, anxious not to do not forget anything.

The prosecution once again opposed his release, again arguing that there was a "risk of possible, probable, and foreseeable absconding" and that it was "important to guarantee his representation at the appeal", the date of which was is not yet known for the money laundering component - the tax evasion component is scheduled for 11 December.

Patrick Balkany's lawyer blasted the "absolutely exceptional" treatment for his client. "He has no reason to flee.What is he going to do? Going on the run alone at 71, while Ms. Balkany stays quietly at home?" Scolded Eric Dupond-Moretti, pleading for "appeased justice" on appeal, with "normal penalties".

Picking up the word after his advice, Patrick Balkany added: "500,000 euros to find is very difficult," he said, listing all the assets and family assets seized. "I fear that despite the brilliant pleading of my lawyer, I have to stay in the hole, because I do not see how to raise this money."

Given the "severe" conditions of his judicial review, Me Dupond-Moretti pleaded for a "dry release".

In the evening, Isabelle Balkany for her part announced on BFMTV that residents of Levallois had called for donations to help her husband to pay his deposit and had, for this purpose, deposited on Monday the statutes of an association to the prefecture . "We are waiting for the receipt" authorizing the creation, she explained.

© 2019 AFP