Ten individuals accused of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, are set to stand trial in Paris this week. The defendants face allegations of disseminating baseless claims regarding her gender and sexuality, along with making derogatory comments about the 24-year age difference between Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron. If convicted, they could receive sentences of up to two years in prison.
Among those facing trial are an elected official, a gallery owner, and a teacher, as reported by French media. Two of the defendants, independent journalist Natacha Rey and internet fortune-teller Amandine Roy, were previously found guilty of slander for asserting that Brigitte Macron did not exist and that her brother had changed gender. However, an appeals court later overturned this ruling, stating that their statements did not meet the criteria for defamation. Brigitte Macron and her brother are currently appealing that decision.
The allegations regarding Brigitte Macron’s gender have circulated since Emmanuel Macron’s election in 2017 and have gained traction in the United States, notably promoted by right-wing figure Candace Owens. In July, the Macrons filed a lawsuit against Owens, claiming she ignored credible evidence against her assertions and gave a platform to conspiracy theorists. The couple’s attorney stated that Brigitte Macron found the claims distressing and disruptive to her husband’s presidency.
Emmanuel Macron has stated that the legal action against Owens aims to protect his family’s honor, asserting that she spread misinformation intended to cause harm. Brigitte Macron met her husband when she was his teacher, and they married in 2007 when Emmanuel was 29 and she was 54.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3knel0895o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss