France's highest magistrate, Chantal Arens, recalled Éric Dupond-Moretti on Friday March 4 to her role as guarantor of the independence of the judicial authority, after the minister accused the magistrates of the CJR of being "
determined
to "
tarnish
" his reputation.
Read alsoJustice: Éric Dupond-Moretti is trying to modernize his IT
In a press release, "
the first president of the Court of Cassation strongly regrets the comments made by the Keeper of the Seals, whose mission is to guarantee the independence of Justice
".
“
Challenging the honor of the investigating magistrates, they contribute to weakening the judicial authority, pillar of the rule of law
”, continues Chantal Arens, the highest magistrate in France.
Summoned Thursday morning to be heard again by magistrates of the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) on suspicion of illegal taking of interests which have earned him an indictment since July, the Keeper of the Seals had refused to answer their questions. .
“
Smearing the reputation of a former lawyer
”
In a statement read to the three magistrates of the CJR's investigating committee, published by the newspaper L'Opinion and of which AFP obtained a copy, the minister explains that he is waiting "
calmly
" for his trial to "
defend (his) honor, and finally re-establish a truth
".
He told the three judges: "
Everything in the conduct of your information indeed demonstrates your determination not to get to the truth about allegations that you have taken for granted from the outset, but to sully the reputation of a former lawyer whose only lawsuit that interests you, that of his illegitimacy to occupy the functions of Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice
".
Criticizing "
investigations conducted in a totally disproportionate way
", Éric Dupond-Moretti assures that the magistrates bear him an old "
enmity
" which should have "should
have led (them) to (them) deport from the file
".
“
But impartiality is not your subject
,” he adds.
He still denounces a “
biased
” instruction and the non-respect of his “
most basic rights
”.
Read alsoEric Dupond-Moretti cuts all ties with his profession as a lawyer
In a scathing response, the President of the Court of Cassation “
recalls that the independence of the judicial authority is guaranteed by the Constitution
”.
"
The investigating judges carry out their mission, in a collegial manner, in complete independence and in compliance with the law, their decisions being subject to appeal
", underlines Chantal Arens in her press release.
The CJR had opened a judicial investigation in January 2021 after complaints from magistrates' unions and the anti-corruption association Anticor denouncing two situations of conflicts of interest since the arrival of Éric Dupond-Moretti at the Chancellery, in July 2020.
