There were just a few more words left. The last ones from the 50 defendants – the 51st is on the run – who were due to take the microphone one after the other on Monday, December 16. Then there will be silence and waiting. The five judges of the criminal courtin Avignon have given themselves until Thursday or Friday at the latest to deliberate and deliver their verdict.
For two and a half weeks, until last Friday, the defense pleaded. One seasoned lawyer bellowed, another delighted in listening to himself, a few forgot their client’s first name, one wholesale defender – six defendants, six fees, six arguments – a lot of repetition. Citations included a bit of Albert Camus, a little Victor Hugo, a sprinkling of Emile Zola, one Adolf Hitler quote, a lot of Hannah Arendt, and the famed criminal lawyer Vincent de Moro-Giafferi – “Public opinion, chase it away, this intruder, this prostitute who pulls the judge by the sleeve.” Some were on offense, some were convincing, modest, passionate, or promising – in particular among the women lawyers. In the box and on the benches, heads were turned.
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A French Interior Ministry report asserts that anti-religious acts threaten freedom of conscience and the exercise of religion, jeopardising societal balance. The statement highlights the
