Home prison… hopefully.
Placed under electronic bracelet this Wednesday, Patrick and Isabelle Balkany will serve the sentence of three imprisonment which was imposed on them for tax evasion in their manor of Giverny (Eure).
In a decision rendered a few weeks ago, the Evreux sentencing judge (on which their home depends) had granted the Levallois couple this "home detention".
It remained to make it effective.
Thus this Wednesday morning, the former elected officials of Hauts-de-Seine presented themselves to the probation and integration service of Evreux (SPIP) where everyone had to discover an ankle so that an electronic bracelet was placed.
The prison officers then installed, in Giverny, at the Cossy mill, the case connected to the bracelets.
Authorized exit times do not suit them too much
If one or the other leaves the property outside the authorized time slots, an alarm informs the prison administration.
And that's where it can go wrong.
Taking liberties with the schedules would expose Patrick Balkany to a return to prison, where he spent five months, and to the discovery of jails for his wife.
Obviously, neither of them plans to violate the prohibitions, but it turns out that these times don't really suit them.
Most often, judges allow outings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the Balkany, it is 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. during the week, and in the afternoon during the weekend.
Suddenly, for small tours at the Levallois market on Sunday morning, it's done.
They will always be able to go to Levallois
However, we will probably still see them in the city.
They have the right to go wherever they want within the allotted time.
And if one or the other needs to travel outside of the permitted hours, it is enough to ask - to obtain - a special authorization.
This is the case for medical appointments, it will also be the case if they resume a professional activity.
Both are working on it.
It's more vague for Patrick Balkany, but for his wife, TV shows are a real option.
On February 18, Isabelle Balkany made an appearance on Cyril Hanouna's show where there was talk of her becoming a columnist.
At this stage, nothing is done.
But her lawyer, Me Pierre-Olivier Sur, confirms it: “Her bracelet would not prevent her from having an activity, including as a columnist… Where she would excel, I'm sure.
"
Isabelle Balkany joins the @BalanceTonPost team as a columnist!
#TPMP pic.twitter.com/B6XD8fK7am
- TPMP (@TPMP) February 18, 2021
In a few weeks, the Balkany couple will therefore probably ask for an adjustment of the hours of exit.
In principle, this home detention is scheduled for one year.
Then, the former elected officials of Levallois will be able to request a conditional release.
There, it will be a question of responding to the summons of the SPIP and continuing to reimburse the tax authorities.
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Asked this Wednesday, Isabelle Balkany is initially limited to a "No comment".
Before posting on Twitter, where she is still very present, one of those projections of which she has the secret.
His program for the evening will be “La Fille au bracelet”, Stéphane Demoustier's film broadcast on television.
👍👍👍👍
My TV program tonight ... pic.twitter.com/OsYo4MFRQL
- Isabelle Balkany (@ibalkany) March 10, 2021
Patrick and Isabelle Balkany were also sentenced to five and four years firm for laundering tax fraud.
But the penalties are not final because the couple appealed to cassation.
