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French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti charged in conflict of interest probe

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti charged in conflict of interest probe

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti

French Justice Minister EricDupond-Morettiwas charged Friday in a conflict of interest inquiry after questioning by investigating magistrates, his lawyers said.

Eric Dupond-Moretti, a 60-year-old former star lawyer, was recruited by President Emmanuel Macron just a year ago, swapping his life as one of the country's most famous criminal lawyers for a career in politics.

Now he stands accused of taking advantage of his position as minister to settle scores with opponents from his legal career.

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"The justice minister is not above the law, but he is not beneath it either," Dupond-Morettitold journalists as he arrived at the Law Court of the Republic in central Paris.

He is France's first sitting justice minister to be charged in a legal probe.

Under French law, a formal investigation means there is "serious or consistent evidence" implicating a suspect. It is one step closer to a trial, but it does not amount to being charged.

The person can be charged at a later date if further evidence emerges against them, or the investigation can be dropped.

Dupond-Morettiwas questioned for hours by the Cour de Justice de La Republique, a special court that deals with complaints against serving ministers.

In January, the court launched an investigation after an anti-corruption group and three magistrates' unions filed conflict of interest complaints against Dupond-Moretti.

Dupond-Moretti has said the unions were using the allegations of conflict of interest to block his reforms.

(With inputs from agencies)