Karim Benzema’s lawyers asked for charges against him for trying to blackmail Mathieu Valbuena using a sextap. They claimed that the prosecution was motivated by media interest in this case.
The verdict of the trial will be announced on November 24,
Benzema was acquitted by the prosecution of complicity in blackmail.
“One can ask French people about their real interests in this case. Sex? Money? Football? Football?
Addressing the judge, he said that it was never too late to make some law. You are the last safeguard.
Sylvain Kormier, another lawyer for Benzema, criticized a’media-judicial Circus’.
Karim Benzema’s lawyers argued that charges against their client should be dropped on the last day in his sex-tape blackmail case.
Benzema is being tried for blackmail complicity and his trial has been ongoing for three days in Versailles, Paris.
Investigators allege that Benzema encouraged Valbuena, left, to pay a group alleged blackmailers in an effort to keep a sexy tape out of the public eye.
The prosecution demanded a 10-month suspended sentence on Thursday and a fine of 75,000 euros (£63,352) for the 33-year-old France international, who has not appeared during the three days of hearings which began on Wednesday.
Benzema is expected to play in the Clasico this weekend against Barcelona. He is one of five people currently on trial for the 2015 extortion attempt to steal Valbuena’s phone.
On Wednesday’s opening day of the trial, Valbuena testified that he and Benzema were excluded from the national team and that the affair had left him feeling ‘frightened and afraid for his future.
Benzema was not present at the trial. A verdict has been given for the case on November 24.
After the first day of the trial, Valbuena speaks to the media outside the Courtroom
Benzema claims he was just trying to help his fellow player when he approached them about the sex tape at France’s training centre in Oct 2015. He told him that he could help him find someone who could’manage’ this issue.
Prosecutors claim that Benzema worked with the other accused, which includes a childhood friend from Lyon.
He said to a friend, who is being accused of acting as a intermediary for the blackmailers, that he didn’t take them seriously in a wiretapped conversation.
In the wake the scandal, Valbuena & Benzema lost their positions in France’s national soccer team.
Benzema is accused of complicity in the incident, but his lawyer stated that Friday’s conversation showed that Benzema was not in total contrition.
Vey stated to the court that he never claimed he was being kind… but that it is not a criminal offense.
Benzema was interviewed by investigators in 2015 and denied any involvement. He also asked why he would do so.
“I have enough money.” He said, “I don’t need it.”
