France's Le Pen insists no rules broken as embezzlement trial begins

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen appeared in court in Paris on Monday, as she and other French right-wing nationalists faced 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 both the National Rally party and former elected officials and assistants.

"We have not violated any political rule or any rule of the European Parliament," Le Pen said in court before the formal trial proceedings began.

During the reading of the charges, she responded: "I will answer all the questions asked of me."

The case concerns the possible fictitious employment of assistants to several French members of the European Parliament.

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 itself.

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 dogged 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.

The court case is viewed as a major setback in efforts to normalize the party. These legal proceedings come at a time when the National Rally is stronger than ever.

While the right-wing nationalists were considered frontrunners in the early parliamentary elections in June, they ultimately finished in third place.

Le Pen is credited with moderating the party's previous radical positions, making it more appealing to mainstream voters.

The trial is expected to continue until the end of November.