French Court Convicts Journalists in King Mohammed VI Case

ENA [ENA] On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Paris Court of Appeal delivered a decisive ruling, convicting French journalists Catherine Graciet and Éric Laurent of attempting to blackmail His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco in 2015 . Both defendants received suspended prison sentences and fines, marking a clear reaffirmation of the truth long upheld by the Moroccan side ..

They were sentenced to suspended prison terms and fines of €5,000 each. The ruling confirms previous investigations showing their involvement in a deliberate extortion plot against the Kingdom of Morocco and its sovereign. The case dates back to summer 2015, when Éric Laurent, together with his partner, contacted the Royal Cabinet claiming to hold sensitive information for a new book about King Mohammed VI. It quickly became clear their real intent was to extort money from the Kingdom in exchange for abandoning the project. French authorities, under strict judicial oversight, documented direct meetings with His Majesty’s lawyer, Mr. Hicham Naciri, where the journalists were caught red-handed with cash.

mistake,” the French judiciary left no ambiguity: their conduct constituted extortion and unlawful pressure against a sovereign state and its Head of State. This ruling stands as a new victory for Morocco’s fair and transparent stance, demonstrating once again the Kingdom’s unwavering faith in the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. By addressing this matter through legal and institutional channels, Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to justice, integrity, and respect for international judicial cooperation.

Furthermore, the verdict reinforces Morocco’s credibility on the international stage and sends a strong message against the misuse of press freedom as a cover for unethical or manipulative practices. It upholds the moral and professional principles that define genuine journalism and defends the dignity of both institutions and individuals against baseless attacks. El arabi Bouhafa - European News Agency