Updated:
Keep
Mustapha Zouaoui, considered as the “brain” of the attempt to blackmail the soccer player Mathieu Valbuena with a video of a sexual nature, apologized this Thursday to the former French international on the second day of the trial in France.
“I sincerely apologize,” Zouaoui declared, one of the five accused of the plot before the court of Versailles, southwest of Paris. The day before, however, he had mocked the footballer during the trial.
The man also apologized to Karim Zenati, a friend of Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, for “manipulating[lo]».
Benzema is also tried for complicity, although he did not appear for “professional” reasons, according to his lawyer.
In front of the journalists, one of the Madrid forward’s lawyers, Sylvain Cormier, recalled on Wednesday night the “Rancor” and “jealousy” of Valbuena.
“His calculations are simple: ‘I was pushed aside, I did not return to the French team and, sportingly, I have declined’ and, opposite, is Karim Benzema, on the front line of current world football,” said the lawyer.
Benzema faces a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a € 75,000 ($ 81,000) fine. The arguments of the civil parties and the prosecution are expected this Thursday, if time permits.
See them
comments
.
