ouverture d’une enquête sur les « propos » proférés contre les magistrats qui ont jugé Marine Le Pen
Paris Investigates Threats Against Judges Following Le Pen Verdict
On Tuesday, the Paris public prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into threats and derogatory comments directed at judges involved in the ruling against Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right party, National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN). This action stems from the decision concerning fictitious employment practices of the RN in the European Parliament, which raised concerns across the judicial community.
The inquiry focuses on "reprehensible remarks" made against the judges who collectively delivered their verdict. It has been assigned to the national unit combating online hate, under the supervision of the Brigade for the Repression of Personal Delinquency (BRDP). Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau emphasized the importance of a regulated judicial debate within any democratic society, asserting that legitimate channels—such as appeals—should be utilized for contesting legal decisions. She underscored that while free speech, including online expressions, is vital, it must not endanger individuals.
The past twenty-four hours have seen heightened alarm within judicial circles, particularly as threats against the judges who issued the ruling against Le Pen have surfaced. The first president of the Paris Court of Appeal, Jacques Boulard, expressed his deep concern in an official statement, insisting that critiques of judicial rulings must never be accompanied by threats against judges.
The Superior Council of the Judiciary (Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, CSM) also condemned the personal threats targeting the judges overseeing the case, stating that remarks from political figures challenging the validity of the prosecution or sentencing, especially during deliberations, are intolerable in a democratic society.
Ludovic Friat, president of the Union of Magistrates (Union Syndicale des Magistrats, USM), voiced his concerns about feeling isolated in defending the rule of law, lamenting a troubling trend among French politicians who seem increasingly ambivalent toward justice and judges. Nelly Bertrand, secretary of the Judiciary Syndicate (Syndicat de la magistrature, SM), reiterated that it is not her place to comment on specific judicial decisions but emphasized the necessity of protecting the judicial authority from external attacks.
Lawyers representing the National Council of Bar Associations (Conseil national des barreaux, CNB), which includes over 150 local bar associations, joined the magistrates in expressing their outrage. They stated that while contesting a court ruling is legitimate, threats against judges are unacceptable.
This distressing situation intensified following the verdict delivered on Monday, which imposed a five-year ban on Marine Le Pen’s eligibility to hold public office due to her earlier employment practices linked to the RN. The responses reflect a growing unease among legal professionals regarding the impact of political discourse on judicial integrity and the safety of those responsible for upholding the law.
In recent months, threats have been directed at both prosecutors and the presiding judge involved in the case, exacerbated by social media activities. The current investigation, therefore, not only aims to address the direct threats but also seeks to underscore the importance of maintaining respect for judicial processes amid rising political tensions.
In conclusion, the open inquiry into threats against judges dealing with Marine Le Pen’s case sheds light on the broader challenges faced by the French legal system in maintaining independence amid political pressures. The call from the judiciary for protection against intimidation reflects not only a critical moment for the rule of law but also raises fundamental questions about the relationship between politics and justice in modern democracies. As the situation develops, the judiciary’s ability to operate free from fear will undoubtedly be scrutinized, serving as a bellwether for the health of democracy in France.
