French palace intrigue: Ex-Macron security aide on trial

By NICOLAS VAUX-MONTAGNY
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — A former security aide to French President Emmanuel Macron who triggered a political crisis when he was identified as having beaten up a protester during a 2018 May Day demonstration has gone on trial on a dozen charges, including voluntary violence. Alexandre Benalla faces up to seven years in prison and 100,000 euros ($118,000) in fines if found guilty. Benalla’s actions, and the way Macron’s office clumsily handled them, triggered the French leader’s first major presidential crisis. At the heart of the controversy was Benalla’s murky role at the presidential Elysee Palace and whether Macron’s presidency had a hidden side deal with him. At Monday’s trial, Benalla said he was “surprised” at his arrest.