France's Le Pen on trial on suspicion of embezzling EU funds

Marine Le Pen and other French right-wing nationalists are facing Paris criminal court proceedings from Monday onwards over accusations of receiving finances for fake staff in the European Parliament.

In addition to long-time National Rally party leader Le Pen, her father and party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen is also among the 28 defendants accused of embezzling public funds.

Marine Le Pen has always denied the allegations, which relate to the years 2004 to 2016, and which are directed against the both the National Rally party and former elected officials and assistants.

It concerns the possible fictitious employment of assistants to several French MEPs. The central allegation is that Le Pen's party received money from the European Parliament for parliamentary assistants who were actually working for the party.

The case is said to involve a sum of almost €7 million ($7.8 million). Le Pen paid back €330,000 to the European Parliament a year ago. However, her party emphasized that this was not an admission of misconduct.

The affair has burdened Le Pen and her party for years. If found guilty, the defendants could face heavy fines and prison sentences of up to 10 years.

If convicted, the defendants could also be declared ineligible for five years, which could put the brakes on Le Pen's candidacy in the next presidential election in 2027.