France's justice minister acquitted of power abuse charges

ANKARA

A court discharged France's justice minister of abuse of power charges.

The Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) announced its verdict on Wednesday, according to broadcaster TF1 Info, after the trial that was held between Nov. 6 and 16.

Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti was accused of settling scores with four judges over issues dating back to when he was a lawyer himself.

The minister did not express any "animosity, despise or will of vengeance" toward those judges, the CJR President Dominique Pauthe reportedly said.

The court ruled that there were no "intentional elements" in his actions, and acquitted Moretti.

The minister told broadcaster France 2 that he waited "three years to explain himself," and expressed his relief over the court ruling.

"I want to turn the page and resume my ordinary course of work," Moretti said.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne welcomed the announcement in a post on X, while left-wing party La France Insoumise, in a statement, called for the dissolution of the CJR.

The party criticized the court's verdict "despite the trial showed his (Moretti's) inevitable guilt."

In case of guilty verdict, Dupond-Moretti would have faced prohibition from public office, up to five years of imprisonment, and a fine of up to €500,000 ($546,000).

The CJR is an exceptional French court established to try sitting or former members of the government for their official actions.