Ten individuals are facing potential sentences of up to two years in prison each for allegedly engaging in sexist cyberbullying targeted at Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. Seven of the accused, referred to as ‘trolls,’ appeared in court today, accused of subjecting Ms. Macron to severe harassment that reportedly led to a significant decline in her physical and mental well-being.
The defendants, consisting of one woman and six men, are charged with spreading false claims that the 72-year-old first lady was born as a man and accusing her of being involved in pedophilia and mistreating her husband when he was a child. If found guilty of cyberbullying Ms. Macron, all of them could potentially face a two-year prison term.
Although ten people were charged in total, three failed to appear for the commencement of their trial at the Paris Correctional Court. Among those present was Amandine Roy, also known as Delphine Jegousse, a 53-year-old clairvoyant. Roy was involved in a lengthy YouTube video where she allegedly made false assertions about Ms. Macron’s past, including questioning her gender and family history.
During the ongoing criminal trial, Roy, like the other defendants, was accused of online harassment against Brigitte Macron, causing harm to her well-being. Ms. Macron was not present in court but was represented by her lawyer. The defendants maintain their innocence, claiming that their actions fall within the realm of free speech, despite the serious allegations they face.
The trial is primarily focused on the derogatory comments made about Brigitte Macron’s gender, sexuality, and the age gap between her and her husband, which led to comparisons with pedophilia. Prosecutors in Paris highlighted the cyberbullying offense filed by Ms. Macron on August 27th, which carries a potential two-year imprisonment penalty.
Among the accused is Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, known online as ‘Zoe Sagan.’ The defense attorney for Poirson-Atlan criticized the prosecution, labeling it as politically motivated and an infringement on free speech rights. The Macron couple’s relationship has been the subject of speculation due to its controversial beginnings, with allegations of irresponsible behavior, which both parties have consistently denied.
Brigitte Macron, previously Brigitte Auzière, married Emmanuel Macron in 2007, years before his unexpected rise to the French presidency. Despite the challenges and rumors surrounding their relationship, the couple has remained united, navigating through societal scrutiny and personal hardships.