French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen has been found guilty in an embezzlement case.
The far-right leader and 24 other officials from her National Rally party were accused of diverting more than €3m (£2.51m) of European Parliament funds to pay France-based staff between 2004 and 2016.
The judge also handed down guilty verdicts to eight other current or former members of Le Pen’s party who, like her, previously served as MEPs in the European Parliament.
Sitting in the front row in the court in Paris, Le Pen showed no immediate reaction as the chief judge read the verdict.
Le Pen denied accusations she was at the head of “a system” meant to siphon off EU funds to benefit her party.
The defendants denied any wrongdoing and claimed the money was used legitimately.
The nine-week trial took place at the end of last year.
Prosecutors wanted Le Pen to face an immediate five-year ban from public office if found guilty.
The 56-year-old is a three-time presidential contender who has said 2027 would be her final run for top office.
Sentencing is expected later today, but it is currently unclear if the ruling will impact her chances of running for president.
It is possible the court will declare Le Pen ineligible to run for office “with immediate effect” – even if she appeals.
That would prevent her running for president in two years – a scenario she has described as a “political death.”
Le Pen and her co-defendants could also face up to 10 years in prison.
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