Two French journalists sentenced for trying to blackmail the King of Morocco

King Mohammed VI in November 2021. © Moroccan Royal Palace / AFP

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The decision fell on March 14, 2023 at the Paris Criminal Court: the two journalists Catherine Graciet and Eric Laurent were found guilty of attempted blackmail against the King of Morocco and were sentenced to 1 year suspended prison sentence and a fine. of 10,000 euros.

Their lawyers decided to appeal. 

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A one-year suspended prison sentence and a 10,000 euro fine for each of the two French journalists.

The decision is roughly in line with what was required two months ago.

The civil action of the Kingdom of Morocco was also deemed admissible and the two defendants will have to pay 5,000 euros each to the Mahsen.

The judge therefore considered that Catherine Graciet and Eric Laurent had wanted to blackmail the King of Morocco in 2015 in exchange for the non-publication of an embarrassing book for the Moroccan royal family.

What the two journalists have always denied.

The lawyers of the two journalists will appeal

Believing on the contrary to have fallen into a trap and blackmail on the part of the Moroccan royal authorities, they had only recognized the ethical fault: that of having accepted the offer of 2 million euros from the Palace of Morocco. they gave up publishing their work.

The lawyers of the king of Morocco are satisfied with the decision.

On the other hand, the defense lawyers immediately announced that they were going to appeal for justice to look again at the recordings which were brought against their clients and which they believe to have been faked.

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• Morocco

• France

• Justice

• Journalism