French court to rule on Bouygues case

A French court will announce its decision on Friday at 14:00 regarding billionaire Olivier Bouygues, who faces charges related to the destruction of protected bird species on his hunting grounds in the Sologne region. The case has drawn significant attention due to the alleged scale and organization of the activities.

Prosecution seeks strict penalties

The public prosecutor of Orléans, Emmanuelle Bochenek-Puren, requested a five-year suspended prison sentence, a 750,000 euro fine, and a five-year ban on hunting for Bouygues. The destruction of birds was described as being motivated by the removal of predators to protect small game, with the prosecutor emphasizing an "organization that has persisted" over the years.

Defense challenges the claims

Olivier Bouygues' lawyer, Me Eric Grassin, criticized the prosecution’s demands as "excessive," arguing that the claims of Bouygues’ awareness were an "intellectual construction." During the trial, the defense raised several legal objections, citing "irregularities" and requesting the annulment of the proceedings.

Bouygues denies involvement

Bouygues has consistently denied any responsibility, expressing "surprise" when informed of the investigation last year. He claimed he had "other cats to chase than to manage the property's affairs on a daily basis," indicating he delegated management to others.

Evidence of animal deaths presented

Following an anonymous complaint, investigators found decomposed animal carcasses on the Fontenaille domain, a 650-hectare estate in La Ferté-Saint-Aubin. Court photos showed a mass grave with several blood-soaked carcasses, including hobbies, great egrets, kestrels, buzzards, and great cormorants. Bouygues acknowledged the existence of the "ecological pit" but said he had "never seen" it.

Banned tools and financial records found

Investigators discovered banned hunting tools such as jaw traps, a bulldozer, and weapons, as well as documents listing species to be eliminated. Payments of about 100 euros were reportedly made for these actions, according to the estate manager. Bouygues stated he "did not want this to be made public."

Local practices defended by defendants

One of the defendants described the practices as "rooted" in the Sologne, a major hunting area in France. The estate manager referred to the actions as "ancestral practices" aimed at "species regulation" rather than destruction. All defendants denied Bouygues’ involvement and rejected the idea of an organized group.

Civil parties seek compensation

About fifteen environmental groups and the Departmental Federation of Hunters of the Loiret have joined the case as civil parties. They are seeking compensation for ecological and moral damages, citing "reputation damage" for hunting and the broader impact on biodiversity.