French Court Denies Fast-Tracking Trial for Sky ECC Distributor

Title: Thomas Herdman’s Defense Argues Lack of Evidence in French Court Hearing

Introduction

In a pivotal hearing on December 12 at the Paris Court of Appeal, the legal team representing Thomas Herdman asserted that there is no substantial evidence linking him to criminal activity. This statement comes amid ongoing scrutiny over Herdman’s role as the business development director for LevUp, a small distributor that provided Sky ECC phones to various resellers. The hearing raised significant questions about the fairness of his prolonged detention, particularly under the standards set by the European Court of Human Rights.

Key Arguments Presented by Herdman’s Lawyers

Herdman’s lawyers, Philippe Ohayon and Paul Sin-Chan, emphasized several critical points during the court proceedings:

• No Direct Criminal Links: They argued that the investigation has not produced any clear evidence connecting Herdman to criminal enterprises.
• Limited Clientele: The court was informed that Herdman had a mere 113 clients, none of whom were located in France. Moreover, only one client had possible ties to illegal activities.
• Cooperation with Law Enforcement: Since 2021, Herdman has cooperated with U.S. law enforcement agencies, even relocating to Madrid at the request of the U.S. Drugs Enforcement Agency, prior to his unexpected arrest by French authorities.

Concerns Over Prolonged Detention

Herdman has already endured over three years in pre-trial detention, which his defense describes as “disproportionate” within the framework of the French justice system. The judges’ proposed delays in adjudicating his case, as part of a broader investigation into Sky ECC in a “special criminal court,” could extend his detention to at least five years before his trial begins. This situation raises serious concerns regarding compliance with European human rights laws, which mandate timely trials for the accused.

Conclusion and Next Steps

As the case continues to unfold, the implications for Thomas Herdman are significant, not only for his personal freedom but also for the standards of justice in France. If you want to stay informed about this developing story and similar cases, consider following our updates. We invite readers to share their thoughts on the matter or explore related articles on criminal justice and human rights issues.

For further reading, you can check out the European Court of Human Rights guidelines here and insights on the ongoing investigations into Sky ECC here.