President Macron’s ex body-guard of Moroccan origins, Alexandre Benalla, went on trial today for dozens of charges for having beaten up two protesters during a 2018 May Day demonstration.
Benalla, 30, risks up to seven years in prison and a 100,000 euros fine for the violence charges that always swept Macron out of office, after a video emerged showing him beating a young protester and holding a woman by the neck.
Benalla, who was filmed wearing a police helmet without authorization, claimed he acted out of reflex, to help authorities control protesters.
Former Macron’s right-hand man will have to respond to judges’ inquiries regarding the use of two diplomatic passports after his dismissal from the Elysee Palace, that he used to travel to African countries, including Morocco, and to Israel.
He appeared for the first time alongside Macron in 2016 before he reached the Elysee Palace, and continued to be one of the President’s closest confidants until 2018.
Benalla was initially suspended for 15 days from his job as head of Macron’s security team but was soon fired after public outcry.
In his 2019 book entitled “What They Don’t Want Me to Say,” Benalla admitted he made mistakes, but claimed he was the only one to be held responsible.
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