Symbol copyright AFP Symbol caption Benoît Quennedey is president of the Franco-Korean Friendship Affiliation
A French civil servant has been positioned below formal felony investigation on suspicion of spying for North Korea.
Benoît Quennedey is suspected of treason and “offering data to a international power”. He faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
Mr Quennedey holds a senior position in the French Senate’s department of structure, historical past and gardens.
He is also president of the Franco-Korean Friendship Affiliation, which promotes nearer ties with North Korea.
In latest years he has written books on the united states of america, together with North Korea’s Economy: Beginning Of Recent Asian Dragon (2013).
Mr Quennedey has travelled a couple of instances to Pyongyang in latest years and met officers and teachers working within the structure and construction fields, in keeping with his association’s website.
Following his arrest in Paris on Sunday, he was wondered for 96 hours by way of France’s counter-intelligence service.
Investigations into Mr Quennedey began a yr ago, French media say.
Reacting to his arrest, Senate President Gérard Larcher stated: “If the allegations in opposition to him were proven, this may severely undermine the picture of our institution.”
Underneath France’s criminal gadget, an investigating pass judgement on is charged with reviewing the evidence and will choose to close the case.
