Oct. 27 (UPI) — The harassment trial of accusations over “malicious remarks” against French first lady Brigitte Macron began in France’s capital city.
On Monday, 10 people in Paris went on trial for cyberbullying the wife of France’s President Emmanuel Macron accused of spreading false claims over gender, sexuality and for targeting the 24-year age gap between the Macrons.
An elected official, a teacher and gallery owner are among the 10 defendants on the docket through Tuesday.
The defendants could face up to two years in prison if convicted.
Natacha Rey, a self-proclaimed journalist, and Internet psychic Amandine Roy were found guilty last year for slander after claiming that France’s first lady never existed and that her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, changed gender and started using Brigitte Macron’s name.
French first lady Brigitte Macron (L) and President Emmanuel Macron (RL), pictured in March greeting King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark (R) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France. File Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI
Roy and Rey were later acquitted by a French appeals court on grounds their statements did not constitute defamation. An appeal is pending by Brigitte Macron and her 80-year-old brother.
It centered around a 2017 conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron — who had three children from her first marriage prior to the president, was a transgender woman — and gained ground in the United States, pushed largely by right-wing media personality Candace Owens.
France’s first couple filed a lawsuit against Owens, stating she “disregarded all credible evidence” in her unsubstantiated claims.
“It is incredibly upsetting to think that you have to go and subject yourself, to put this type of proof forward,” Tom Clare, the Macrons’ lawyer, previously stated.
