Louvre heist suspect’s trial delayed over media attention

A French court has postponed the trial of a suspect linked to the Louvre jewellery heist in a separate case, citing heavy media scrutiny and concerns about the fairness of the proceedings.

A court in Bobigny, north of Paris, has postponed the trial of a man connected to the Louvre jewellery heist in a separate legal matter, citing the intense media attention surrounding the case and its potential impact on judicial fairness.

The suspect was due to face trial on charges of damaging public property, but the hearing has now been rescheduled for April, the court announced on Wednesday.

His defence team — comprising four lawyers — argued that the extraordinary public interest in the Louvre case made it impossible to prepare adequately for the proceedings.

“We will be extremely vigilant about several aspects — first and foremost, the respect for the presumption of innocence and for due process,” said Maxime Cavaillé, one of the lawyers.

Cavaillé added that the legal team would ensure their client’s privacy is protected despite what he described as the “extraordinary nature” of the Louvre affair.

The defence declined to provide further details about the separate case or their client’s alleged involvement in the high-profile robbery, which has attracted widespread media coverage both in France and abroad.

The Louvre heist, involving the theft of valuable jewels from a luxury exhibition, remains one of France’s most talked-about criminal cases in recent years.

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