Me France Moulin, a lawyer who is defending a client accused of money laundering connected to drug traffic, was imprisoned on April 19^th 2005 pursuant to  new law of March 9^th,  2004, so called Perben n° 2  (from the name of the French Ministry of Justice in Duty) , under which she was charged for "divulging information" to a friend of her client. Any lawyer suspected, during the preliminary investigation stage, of having revealed information to parties who may be implicated as defendant or accomplice may face a five year jail term. Me France Moulin is the first person to be accused of infringing a new article of the penal code, introduced a year ago amid strong criticism from barristers.

Lawyers association say Moulin's case must not be allowed to pass as it would set a dangerous precedent which, in their view, represents "an attack on the rights of the defence". They are demanding the offending articles in the law be repealed.

The head of the Toulouse lawyers association Thierry Carrère has called on lawyers throughout France to go on strike on 28 April, to press for the release of France Moulin, a fellow barrister.

The Orleans Court’s of Appeal refused to free Me Moulin.

The Justice Minister on Thursday evening promised a working meeting with lawyers association representatives in early May. A working committee for rewriting the law was set up.

 

Please act now for the release of Me France Moulin