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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen found guilty in embezzlement case

French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen has been found guilty in an embezzlement case.

The far-right leader and 24 other officials from her National Rally party were accused of diverting more than €3m (£2.51m) of European Parliament funds to pay France-based staff between 2004 and 2016.

The defendants claimed the money was used legitimately.

The nine-week trial took place at the end of last year.

Prosecutors wanted Le Pen to face an immediate five-year ban from public office if found guilty.

The 56-year-old is a three-time presidential contender who has said 2027 would be her final run for top office.

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