Rémy Heitz, one of France’s highest judicial officials, responded on Tuesday to criticisms of far-right leader Marine Le Pen's corruption conviction, stating that the judiciary is impartial and independent.
Heitz, the Chief Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, asserted on RTL radio that the Paris court’s decision was made in accordance with the law and based on legislation passed by the national assembly.
Marine Le Pen had called the ruling a “political decision” and claimed it violated democratic principles during an interview on TF1 the night before.
Heitz rebutted Le Pen’s comments as "totally excessive," emphasising that the trial was fair and followed a thorough examination lasting two months, with the investigation spanning several years.
The decision was the result of a lawful process, with judges implementing the law and enforcing penalties as prescribed, Heitz reiterated.
He described personalised attacks against judges and threats that could lead to criminal charges as “unacceptable,” expressing shock that the president of the tribunal now needs protection.
Le Pen was convicted for misappropriating public funds, with the court finding that from 2004 to 2016, her party, Rassemblement National (RN), improperly used European Parliament funds to pay assistants who were actually working for the RN.
