Two French journalists arrested for trying to blackmail king of Morocco

Paris, Aug 28: Two journalists in France were arrested for allegedly trying to blackmail Morocco's King Mohammed VI, media reported on Friday.

Duo allegedly asked for €3 million in exchange for not publishing a damaging book about the king, reported France 24.
The journalists who sought money have been identified as Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet.

They were arrested on Thursday after meeting with a representative of the Moroccan government in a Paris restaurant.

Moroccan palace officials were contacted by these two journalists on July 23 informing them that they had written a book on Mohammed VI, and a first meeting was organised in Paris with a Moroccan lawyer.

The Moroccan government informed French authorities about the blackmailer journalists and a further meeting took place, this time under police surveillance.

"Both Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet were present. They signed a contract and received 80,000 euros in cash" said Dupond-Moretti a lawyer of the king.

Both were arrested as they left the establishment "with the proceeds of their crime in their pockets", the lawyer said.

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