2023-07-03 19:59:05
He left the hearing “relieved”. “I was very apprehensive about this moment, it was the first time I had set foot in a court,” confided Loïc Akono, just moments after leaving the Charleville-Mézières court. This Monday afternoon, the former basketball player from Metz was confronted with the individual who, during an ordinary National 2 match last January in Charleville-Mézières, had insulted him with “bonobo” while the leader game was on the ground after a shock. Words reprehensible and punishable by one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros for its author.
After hearing the various protagonists in the case – the Metz club and representatives of the Licra were also present for the civil party – the prosecutor resumed a 3-month suspended prison sentence and a 3-year ban stage for the septuagenarian. The verdict will be known on August 24.
“Obviously I would have preferred to be fixed today but it’s a good step over,” continues Akono. I was able to express myself. This man (the author of the remarks) was also able to explain himself. He apologized but he never looked at me. I found it very approximate. »
“The court understood the problem of this case, believes for his part Master Xavier Iochum, counsel for Loïc Akono. The indictment seems fair to me for this man who had no criminal record. This served as a reminder that racism is not an opinion but a crime. »
During an interview he gave us a few days ago, Akono explained that he had sunk into a depression following this affair but had wanted to file a complaint to “give people strength to fight”. “The penalty can be used for that, to encourage people to file a complaint. The law is there to protect us, it’s not just a text, we don’t have the right to utter racist insults. Going to court can make these people understand the harm they are doing, some are not aware of it. »
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