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Verdict on Diana paparazzi for flouting privacy rules
Paris, Nov 28: A verdict is due today in the trial of three French paparazzi accused of breaching the country`s strict privacy rules by photographing Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi al Fayed on the night of their fatal car-crash six years ago.
Paris, Nov 28: A verdict is due today in the trial of three French paparazzi accused of breaching the country's strict privacy rules by photographing Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi al Fayed on the night of their fatal car-crash six years ago.
In last month's trial the state prosecutor asked the judge to hand down unspecified suspended prison terms on Jacques Langevin, Christian Martinez and Fabrice Chassery. The maximum penalty they face is a year in prison and a fine of 53,600 dollars.
The three were among the eight paparazzi and one dispatch rider who followed Diana and Dodi on the night of August 31 1997, when the pair were killed in a crash in a Paris underpass along with their limousine driver Henri Paul.
All were initially investigated on manslaughter and non-assistance charges but cleared before the case came to court. The privacy trial came as a result of a civil suit filed by Dodi's father -- Egyptian millionaire Mohamed al Fayed.
Al Fayed's lawyer Bernard Dartevelle asked the judge to fine the paparazzi a symbolic one euro in damages.
"We do not want to make the accused suffer. But we want the court to acknowledge that all the photographs taken that night should not have been taken. And we want it to be very clear to all that publication of such photographs leads to prosecution," he said in court.
Bureau Report
In last month's trial the state prosecutor asked the judge to hand down unspecified suspended prison terms on Jacques Langevin, Christian Martinez and Fabrice Chassery. The maximum penalty they face is a year in prison and a fine of 53,600 dollars.
The three were among the eight paparazzi and one dispatch rider who followed Diana and Dodi on the night of August 31 1997, when the pair were killed in a crash in a Paris underpass along with their limousine driver Henri Paul.
All were initially investigated on manslaughter and non-assistance charges but cleared before the case came to court. The privacy trial came as a result of a civil suit filed by Dodi's father -- Egyptian millionaire Mohamed al Fayed.
Al Fayed's lawyer Bernard Dartevelle asked the judge to fine the paparazzi a symbolic one euro in damages.
"We do not want to make the accused suffer. But we want the court to acknowledge that all the photographs taken that night should not have been taken. And we want it to be very clear to all that publication of such photographs leads to prosecution," he said in court.
Bureau Report