French justice minister not guilty in conflict of interest trial - tribunal

FILE PHOTO: French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti leaves the audience room during his trial for illegal conflicts interest at the courthouse in Paris, France, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - A special tribunal on Wednesday ruled that French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti did not abuse his current position to settle scores with opponents from his career as a top lawyer.

A pugnacious orator, Dupond-Moretti was alleged to have failed to have stepped back sufficiently from a case against a magistrate with whom he had sparred whilst a lawyer.