The trial of Alexandre Benalla before the Paris Court of Appeal opened this Friday morning, five years after violence during a May 1 demonstration that earned the former close collaborator of Emmanuel Macron to be sentenced in 2021 to three years in prison, including a firm in first instance.
Dressed in a gray suit, short beard and square glasses, the 31-year-old man, now converted to the private sector, took his place in the dock shortly after 10 a.m. and told the president of the court that he would agree to speak at the trial, just like his co-defendant Vincent Crase, 50.
The latter's lawyer, Robin Binsard, must file a priority question of constitutionality (QPC) at the beginning of the hearing, on the offense of "interference in a public function", or the usurpation of a function, accused of the two men.
Carrying of prohibited weapons and use of forgery in writing
Pillar of the security device of the candidate Emmanuel Macron in 2017 and then of the Elysee, Alexandre Benalla had been at the heart of a political scandal with twists and turns from July 18, 2018, with the publication of an article in Le Monde identifying him on a video where he brutalized a couple place de la Contrescarpe, in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, while he was participating in the law enforcement system as an observer.
The former head of mission, prosecuted for violence in assembly must also answer in particular for prohibited carrying of weapons - because of the publication of a photo of him carrying a handgun - and use of forgery in writing, for having continued to travel with diplomatic passports after his dismissal from the Elysee.
The trial is scheduled to last until June 16.
