France's Le Pen charged over EU funding scandal

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Europe

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right National Front (FN) party, was placed under formal investigation on Friday over the alleged use of a European parliament fund to pay her party's staff, according to local media.

"In accordance with her commitments made during the presidential campaign, Marine Le Pen complied with the judges' summons," news channel BFMV quoted her lawyer as saying.

French Far-Right National Front President Marine Le Pen attends a press conference after voting for the second round of regional elections in Henin-Beaumont, France, on December 13, 2015. /VCG Photo

The European Parliament has accused Le Pen of paying party staff working in France with European Union (EU) funds worth 340,000 euros (387,690 US dollars), after she claimed they were European parliamentary assistants.

If tried and convicted, Le Pen faces up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to 375,000 euros (425,000 US dollars), although it is unlikely she would receive a custodial sentence.

The 48-year-old will appeal the investigating magistrates' decision which "violates the principle of the separation of powers" on Monday, according to the defense lawyer.

French Far-Right National Front President Marine Le Pen is welcomed by fans as she leaves the polling station after voting for the first round of regional elections in Henin-Beaumont, France, on December 6, 2015. /VCG Photo

In December 2016, the French prosecutor opened an investigation for breach of trust, fraud and forgery following the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) initial findings.

Le Pen's chief of staff Catherine Griset was put under formal investigation on February 22 after a day of questioning over the alleged misuse of EU funds to pay parliamentary assistants. Her bodyguard was also questioned but was later released without being placed under investigation.

Career politician Le Pen, whose recent popularity in France helped her to enter the National Assembly for the first time, denied any wrongdoing.

(Source: AFP, Xinhua)