The essentials
Olivier Bouygues received a two-year suspended sentence and maximum fine, and his defence plans to appeal.
The Orléans court convicted billionaire Olivier Bouygues and sentenced him to two years of suspended prison and a 750,000 euro fine, the maximum penalty for the offence. His hunting licence was withdrawn for three years. The court found him guilty of destroying protected birds as part of an organised group.
Five co-defendants also received suspended prison terms, fines and licence withdrawals. Six defendants were ordered to pay 360,000 euros to nine environmental associations.
The prosecutor had requested five years of suspended prison and the same 750,000 euro fine. The defence has announced its intention to appeal the verdict, so further proceedings are expected.
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Court imposes suspended term below prosecutor's five-year request
The court handed Olivier Bouygues two years of suspended prison, lower than the five years of suspended imprisonment the prosecutor had requested. The 750,000 euro fine matches the amount the prosecution proposed and is the maximum penalty for the offence. The defence has announced it will appeal the verdict.
Verdict includes licence bans and €360,000 payments to environmental groups
Beyond prison terms and fines, the court withdrew Olivier Bouygues's hunting licence for three years, and five co-defendants also faced licence withdrawals. Six defendants were ordered to pay a combined 360,000 euros to nine environmental associations. The conviction covers destroying protected birds as part of an organised group.