Donetsk, Jul 18 – DAN. The DPR representative office in France might be closed if Kiev intensifies pressure on Paris, the head of the office Gérald-Hubert Fayard told DAN.
Legal proceedings concerning the DPR representative office in France began this summer, as the Aix-en-Provence court embarked on hearing on June 7. The first hearing was "short and erratic", according to Fayard. The prosecution alleged violations of international law. The court's decision is to be announced on September 7.
"If the court orders closure it would be a very controversial decision, as the center was registered in compliance with the French law. It can happen if Kiev pressures Paris too hard."
Kiev demands liquidation of DPR's Marseilles office since its opening. French ambassador to Ukraine Isabelle Dumont said it was impossible to close the office opened legally.
"The Representative office was registered under the French Law of Associations (1901). In any case, we shall defend our rights in accordance with the law. We shall file an appeal with a higher court, we shall do our best to save the center," Fayard said.
DPR opened its fifth Representative’s Office in the EU – in Marseille, France – on September 25, 2017. Earlier the fourth DPR representative office was launched in Athens, offices also operate in the Czech Republic, Italy and Finland. *ot