The publisher of a book by two French journalists accused of attempting to blackmail Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Monday cancelled its deal with the writers.
Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet allegedly demanded three million euros from Moroccan palace officials on the promise they would withhold publication of their book, which is understood to contain damaging allegations against King Mohammed VI.
On Monday, Laurent and Graciet claimed they had been “manipulated” by lawyers acting for the Moroccan king, arguing that the money had been offered to them while insisting they had not demanded a penny and had been "set up".
The pair were arrested on Thursday evening after a meeting with a palace representative in a Paris hotel. They had signed a contract and taken an 80,000-euro advance, in cash, allegedly to ensure their silence.
“Under these conditions, the publication [due for January 2016] will not go ahead,” Editions Le Seuilsaid in a statement.
Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet allegedly demanded three million euros from Moroccan palace officials on the promise they would withhold publication of their book, which is understood to contain damaging allegations against King Mohammed VI.
On Monday, Laurent and Graciet claimed they had been “manipulated” by lawyers acting for the Moroccan king, arguing that the money had been offered to them while insisting they had not demanded a penny and had been "set up".
The pair were arrested on Thursday evening after a meeting with a palace representative in a Paris hotel. They had signed a contract and taken an 80,000-euro advance, in cash, allegedly to ensure their silence.
“Under these conditions, the publication [due for January 2016] will not go ahead,” Editions Le Seuilsaid in a statement.
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