French Journalists Convicted of Blackmail Attempt Against Morocco’s King Mohammed VI

The facts date back to 2015, when Éric Laurent contacted the King’s private secretariat to request a meeting, during which they would have proposed to abandon the publication of a book containing damaging revelations about the King in exchange for a large sum of money. The two journalists had already published a book on Mohammed VI in 2012, entitled The Predator King, and had signed a contract with Le Seuil for a second volume on the same subject.

The verdict has finally been handed down, more than seven years after the facts. Éric Laurent, 75, and Catherine Graciet, 48, were each sentenced to 12 months suspended sentence and a fine of 10,000 euros. During the trial, Éric Laurent acknowledged an "ethical error" but denied any criminal offense, while Catherine Graciet admitted to having been "seduced by the King’s emissary with his financial offer" and to having "let herself be drawn in".

The case against the two defendants was based on two recorded conversations, which their lawyers rejected, recognizing only a "financial agreement." They denied any attempt at blackmail. The prosecutor had requested one-year suspended sentences against each of the two defendants, with a fine of 15,000 euros. However, the court ultimately ruled for the suspended prison sentence.