By Alaattin Dogru
ANKARA (AA) – Nabil Ennasri, a French Muslim political scientist, and Jean-Pierre Duthion, writer of Moroccan origin and lobbyist, were indicted on multiple charges 48 hours after their custody by police in Paris, local media reported on Thursday.
The National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) charged Ennasri and Duthion on Wednesday with lobbying, breach of trust, private corruption, money laundering, laundering of aggravated tax fraud, and corruption of a public official in a judicial investigation relating to suspicions of corruption or influence peddling around personalities in France.
Following their statements before the investigating judge, Ennasri was arrested, while Duthion was released with judicial supervision.
Duthion's lawyers, Robin Binsard and Guillaume Martine, argued that the charges against their client are baseless, while Ennasri's lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, indicated that his client is currently exercising his right to remain silent.
Ennasri set out on a bicycle journey from Paris to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to raise awareness about global warming and recreate the historic Muslim pilgrimage route. He continued a part of his journey within the borders of Türkiye.
*Writing by Necva Tastan