(ANSA) - PARIS, MARCH 22 - The trial opened this morning in Versailles (Paris) against the French branch of the Swedish furniture giant Ikea, accused of having set up an illegal surveillance system for its employees, especially trade unionists.
In this "espionage" affair, the Ikea branch has been denounced as a moral person and is represented by general manager Karine Havas.
He risks up to 3.75 million euros in fines.
15 individuals are also accused, including two warehouse managers, police officers but also former executives such as former president Stefan Vanoverbeke and his predecessor Jean-Louis Baillot.
Revealed by the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchainé and the information site Mediapart in 2012, the affair took over after a complaint by a union.
However, Ikea France was forced to fire 4 of its top managers.
The investigation also revealed the existence of a "spying system" of employees but also of candidates for recruitment, extended throughout France.
Hundreds of people, including trade unionists, have been studied, their judicial past or their level of life has been examined.
The civil parties that have been formed so far are 74, but the number is destined to increase with the opening of the trial.
For the defense, the investigation has several weaknesses.
(HANDLE).
