PARIS (AP) — French politician Marine Le Pen has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor, a common practice in France aimed at reducing prison overcrowding. This decision comes even as she contemplates a presidential run.
The Paris appeals court found the far-right leader guilty of embezzlement, imposing a 100,000-euro fine ($114,000). Additionally, the court shortened her ban from elected office from five years to 45 months, with two-thirds suspended.
Le Pen’s prison sentence was reduced from four years to three, with two years suspended. She is required to serve one year under house arrest with electronic monitoring.
Understanding Electronic Monitoring in France
Prison overcrowding is a persistent issue in France, as noted by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. Electronic monitoring serves as an alternative to incarceration, helping mitigate this problem.
French law mandates that individuals under electronic home detention wear an ankle monitor. They must remain at home or another designated location, except during hours authorized by a judge.
The court or a judge determines the location and time periods for the home detention. While this setup poses challenges for political campaigning, it does not make it impossible.
A specialized judge will soon decide the specific terms of Le Pen’s monitoring, including her designated residence and allowable movement hours.
The appeals court highlighted that during sentence adjustment, sentence reductions of up to six months per year are possible, along with conditional release. Depending on the timing of the monitor’s implementation, Le Pen might be free from it during the final months of the presidential campaign. France’s next presidential election is scheduled for April 18, with a runoff on May 2.
Céline Bertetto, president of the national association of sentence enforcement judges, stated, “The appeals court has decided to make a (presidential) bid possible, so the decision must be respected.” She added, “For a one-year sentence, there can be a six-month reduction, but she must comply with the permitted hours of movement and pay the criminal fine.”
Impact on Le Pen’s Presidential Ambitions
Le Pen has indicated she would not pursue the presidency if required to wear an electronic monitor. “If I can be a candidate, I will be a candidate, provided that I am able to campaign,” she told the LCI channel. “Because if I’m allowed to be a candidate but am effectively prevented from campaigning freely, then you understand that wouldn’t be possible.”
When asked if the electronic monitor was the main hindrance, she affirmed: “Well, of course. I can’t be dependent on a judge to authorize me to go hold a campaign rally … or to visit a market.”
Le Pen, 57, left the court without commenting but is expected to speak in a television interview later that evening.
Precedent Set by Sarkozy
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy also wore an electronic monitor after his corruption conviction, serving a one-year sentence. Media outlets captured him jogging with the device. He received conditional release after just over three months, allowing him to remove the electronic tag.
During his monitoring period, Sarkozy was permitted to leave his home between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with extended hours on specific days to accommodate a separate trial.
