简体中文
What's the story?
Former French prime minister and presidential candidate FrançoisFillon has appeared in court for the first day of his trial along with his wife Penelope. He is accused of embezzlement by employing his wife as his parliamentary assistant between 1998 and 2013, without having her do any actual work.
Who is François Fillon?
The 65-year-old was a long-serving member of parliament from the western region of Sarthe and entered politics in 1993 as minister of higher education and research. He was prime minister under then president Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007 to 2012. He is married with five children and owns a manor house and stables in Sarthe.
What crime is he alleged to have committed?
Fillon is accused of misusing more than $1 million in public funds. His wife is on trial for complicity to embezzle and concealment of public funds.
François Fillon and his wife Penelope are on trial over the alleged misuse of public funds. /AP
What is his defense?
He says his wife was his most important employee and did crucial parliamentary work for him, managing his diary and mail and editing his speeches. He admitted to mistakes, but both he and his wife deny wrongdoing.
How big is the trial?
There has been a lot of coverage around so-called "PenelopeGate" in the media. Fillon is a major figure in French politics, as a former prime minister and a one-time presidential candidate for the Republicans in 2017.
When are we likely to get a result?
The trial will last around three weeks. If found guilty, Fillon faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years, while his wife faces up to five years in jail if convicted.
Why was the trial delayed?
The trial was meant to start on 24 February but Fillon's team requested a delay in solidarity with a lawyers' strike in the country.
