Brigitte Macron: Court to deliver verdict

A PARIS court yesterday was expected to deliver its verdict in the trial of 10 people accused of cyber-harassment of President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte by spreading false information about her gender and insinuations related to the age difference between the first couple.

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The relationship between Emmanuel Macron, 48, and Brigitte, 72, who met while she was a drama teacher at his school, has been the subject of intense interest since he became president in 2017.

But in recent years this scrutiny has extended to the widespread publication of false information which the first couple have resolved not to ignore and instead combat in court.

They have filed a defamation lawsuit in the US against right-wing US podcaster Candace Owens who falsely claimed the spouse of the French president used to be a man.

The Paris trial, a separate case, concerns 10 defendants from different walks of life aged between 41 and 65 who risk suspended sentences of three to 12 months and fines of up to €8 000 (about R154 000) if convicted.