Moroccan PM Sues Ex-EU Lawmaker Over Bribery Allegation Amid Trade Deal Talks

"As rapporteur on the free trade agreement on fruits and vegetables with Morocco, I had opposed this project because it was harmful to Moroccan and European producers," recalled the former Green MEP in a recent interview with France Inter. At the time, Aziz Akhannouch, then Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, would have approached him to tell him that he "could not stand" his opposition, José Bové claimed, adding that he had offered him "a gift".

"The head of the Moroccan government is extremely shocked by the unfounded accusations made by José Bové," explains his French lawyer Olivier Baratelli to franceinfo, informing that three complaints with civil party constitution for defamation have been filed against José Bové. And he adds: "These old and unfounded accusations have already been the subject of a final conviction by the 17th Correctional Chamber of the Paris Judicial Court on October 16, 2018. This is a scandalous attack on his honor and honesty."