Place for the defense, Thursday June 18, in the trial of Lamine Diack before the 32nd criminal chamber of the Paris court. Called to plead, the lawyers of the former president of the IAAF asked for leniency from the judges. They mentioned the age of their client (87 years) to request a release. The Senegalese leader’s lawyer, Me William Bourdon, asked the court “ not to render a decision which prevents (Lamine Diack) to die with dignity, embraced by his family, in his native land. » The day before, prosecutors had requested 4 years in prison and a 500.000 euro fine against Lamine Diack, for active and passive corruption, organized gang money laundering and breach of trust. They had requested a heavier sentence – five years in prison and the same fine – against his son Papa Massata Diack, former marketing advisor to the IAAF. Lamine Diack's defense refuted his involvement in a breach of trust for the benefit of his son Papa Massata, accused of having embezzled millions of euros on sponsorship contracts. More surprising: one of the lawyers of the former president of the IAAF, Simon Ndiaye, attacked Sebastian Coe, his successor at the head of world athletics, vice-president of the IAAF at the time of the facts. “ Was he the prince who was waiting for the end of the king's reign to ascend the throne, was this prince silent? », asked Me Ndiaye, suggesting that the Briton could also be on the dock. The judgment will be rendered on September 16.
