The verdict fell this week on Karim Benzema’s complaint against Gérald Darmanin.
Gérald Darmanin seemed to have crossed the line last October in his remarks against Karim Benzema, emphasizing a “ notorious link » between the footballer and the Muslim Brotherhood: « For several years, we have noticed a slow drift in Karim Benzema’s positions towards a harsh, rigorous Islam, characteristic of the Brotherhood ideology consisting of disseminating Islamic norms in different areas of society, particularly in sport. “.
On January 16, on the advice of his lawyers, Karim Benzema decided to file a complaint against the Minister of the Interior for defamation, denouncing “ inaccurate and more likely false accusations, but in any case made on purpose », in the words of its representative Me Vigier. The Benzema clan then insists on “ petty, petty, self-centered political opportunism » by Gérald Darmanin « indifferent to the consequences and in particular to the divisions it causes where we urgently need harmony and humility to help achieve peaceful solutions “.
Classified without further action
A month later, French justice and the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR), the only competent jurisdiction in the judgment of a minister in office, ruled, classifying without further action the Ballon d’Or 2022 complaint according to an announcement of the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, Rémy Heitz.
The Requests Commission of the Court of Justice of the Republic “ notes that Mr. Benzema’s complaint relates to comments which do not accuse him of any fact which is likely to undermine his honor or his reputation », underlines Rémy Heitz in a press release. Gérald Darmanin in this case incurred a fine of 12,000 euros.
