Benzema absent as trial begins over sex tape blackmail
The trial of Real Madrid FC striker, Karim Benzema, started in Versailles on Wednesday.
He is charged with attempted blackmail linked to a sex tape featuring his former France teammate, Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema was not present in court. His lawyers cited his professional obligations.
He played with Real Madrid in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk in Kyiv the previous night and faces a Spanish League Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday.
The 33-year-old Benzema is accused of being complicit in the attempt to blackmail Valbuena, who was threatened in a phone call in June 2015 with the publication of the video.
Benzema was allegedly involved in “aiding and abetting an extortion attempt.”
He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($88,000), according to prosecutors.
Four other men said to be involved in the affair are also charged at the trial expected to last until Friday.
Due to the involvement in the affair, Benzema missed the 2016 European Championship in France, their World Cup win in 2018 and only returned to the national team this summer.
The player’s defence has rejected the allegations and on Tuesday the L’Equipe sports daily again quoted his lawyers demanding he is cleared.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
2027: Politics must not undermine Nigeria’s national unity, APC chairman Yilwatda says
“I urge Nigerians to see our diversity not as a weakness, but as a source of strength. As we approach another electoral season, we must reject division and violence,” he said.
World
Ukraine embassy marks 35th independence anniversary, reaffirms struggle for freedom
Mr Kholostenko described it as a day that embodied the Ukrainian people’s enduring struggle for freedom, statehood and the right to determine their own future.
States
Police arrest two suspected kidnappers in Ondo
Police arrested two suspected kidnappers in connection with the abduction of a man, Abubakar Abdullahim, in Ondo State.
States
Security forces kill six suspected secessionists in Anambra
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Nnanna Ama, said a joint security team comprising the army, navy, police, SSS, and local vigilantes conducted the operation.
Heading 5
People exploiting actor Taiwo ‘Ogogo’ Hassan’s illness to make money, daughter alleges
Ms Taiwo said some Nigerians are exploiting her father’s ailment to make money.
States
2027: Loyalty to Tinubu, APC non-negotiable, says Ondo reconciliation committee
Dele Olanubi, the committee secretary, said members who left the APC to contest elective offices on other parties’ platforms had forfeited their membership.
