2 French journalists arrested for blackmailing King Mohammed VI
Al-Bab Report
Paris: Two French journalists were arrested on Thursday in Paris on charges of trying to blackmail the king of Morocco, His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The arrest has been confirmed by legal sources in both countries.
Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet, who are working on a book about King Mohammed VI, were tricked by the Moroccan Police who held three meetings with them and promised to give them the money. They made them believe that the Moroccan authorities were ready to accept their demands and engaged in bargain with them to reduce the extortion money. The Moroccan Police did succeed in convincing them to reduce the extortion money from 3 million Euros to 2 million Euros.
In fact, the police planted concealed camera in three meetings including the last meeting in which they signed a contact and received 8000 Euro in advance. Later, the evidence was presented to the French police who arrested them on charges of attempting to extort Morocco by threatening to publish a new book about the monarch unless he paid three million Euros.
Eric Dupond-Moretti, a lawyer for the Moroccan government, told RTL radio that Laurent had contacted the royal palace in July, saying he was writing a book about the king.
The journalist demanded three million euros in hush money not to publish the book. He described the entire affairs as “extra-ordinary dangerous.”
Editions du Seuil publishing company confirmed that the pair was working on a book on Morocco slated for publication "in January/February".
The journalist demanded three million euros in hush money not to publish the book. He described the entire affairs as “extra-ordinary dangerous.”
Editions du Seuil publishing company confirmed that the pair was working on a book on Morocco slated for publication "in January/February".
