Imminent outcome in the incredible affair of the "fake Le Drian".
This Wednesday, September 9, the Paris Court of Appeal will deliver its judgment concerning Anthony Lasarevitsch and Gilbert Chikli.
Sentenced at first instance, the two men, aged 36 and 55 respectively, have always vehemently denied having belonged to the "fake Le Drian gang".
Read also: How the gang of "false Le Drian" trapped the world elite
From the summer of 2015 to the end of 2016, this small group succeeded in extorting millions of euros from wealthy personalities by resorting to a well-established technique.
By email, telephone or Skype, a member of the gang claimed to be Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Minister of Defense at the time, and tried to persuade his interlocutors to pay money to pay the ransom of French hostages in Syria.
More than 150 people, including Gabonese President Ali Bongo, King Philippe of Belgium and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, were contacted.
Most of them escaped the scam.
But the owner of the Château Margaux company paid 3 million, the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, 13 million and a Turkish businessman ... 43 million.
"Lord of the scam"
In February 2020, seven men appeared before the 13th chamber of the Paris Criminal Court for "taking the name of a third party", "criminal association", "organized gang fraud" or "organized gang money laundering".
One of them was released;
the other six received sentences ranging from 15 months in prison suspended to 11 years in prison.
To read also: Case of the "false Le Drian": the "lord of the swindle" sentenced to 11 years in prison
The two most heavily convicted, Anthony Lasarevitsch (7 years in prison, 1 million fine) and Gilbert Chikli (11 years in prison, 2 million fine), have appealed.
In a state of legal recidivism, the second city is well known to the general public: described as "lord of the swindle" by one of the lawyers of the civil parties, it inspired a film by Pascal Elbé,
I count on you
.
In June 2020, Anthony Lasarevitsch and Gilbert Chikli were tried again.
The Advocate General called for prison sentences identical to those handed down at first instance, but asked for a
"very substantial"
reduction
in the fine imposed on Anthony Lasarevitsch.
Was he heard by the judges of the court of appeal?
Answer this September 9th.