Conspiracy in Monaco
On the eve of a cabinet reshuffle, Prince Albert finds himself the target of defamation on social networks.
A violent attempt at destabilization. For the past ten days, websites based abroad, hidden behind anonymity and initiated by fake journalists, have been flooding social networks with fake news and defamatory articles on Monaco. All are fed by a false documentary site, dossiers-du-cheur.com, where the practices of “Monegasque personalities, politicians and influential businessmen” are denounced in order to “treat and influence the institutions of Monaco in their own interests ”. Malevolent and slanderous, this information is relayed through posts on conspiratorial sites and social networks Twitter and Facebook, and even a dedicated YouTube channel. They are also the subject of text messages and e-mails sent to lists of Monegasque citizens, residents of the Principality, and even residents of Nice.
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The goal seems clear: “To get hold of the Rock”, according to a source familiar with the matter. Better, several Parisian and British editors were offered alleged investigation files, totally bogus, whose authors – anonymous – launched themselves as whistleblowers. For the moment, the serious media have not fallen for the trap. “All this supports the thesis of a large-scale operation intended to undermine the authority of the sovereign prince”, they say at the palace. In addition to the president of the Supreme Court, Didier Linotte, and the Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, Laurent Anselmi, two men close to Prince Albert are targeted: the administrator of the sovereign’s property, Claude Palmero, as well as his lawyer and friend. childhood, Thierry Lacoste. Their probity and loyalty are at issue in each of the articles published by anonymous offshore sites, which accused them of being involved in real estate projects, where, in general, the blessed building on the cramped territory of the Rock.
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At the Prince’s Palace, there is talk of a “demolition campaign” and it is stressed that “these personalities are known for their integrity and their dedication to the public cause. They are therefore not targeted by chance ”… All of them curiously share the same contact e-mail address: [email protected]; they are owned by front companies and hosted in the United States, India, Iceland or Russia. “This campaign has probably been premeditated and prepared since July. Several dozen people (editors and developers) were mobilized to carry out this cleverly orchestrated denigration enterprise, ”explains a person close to the investigation. A plan that would have required large resources, estimated between 5 and 10 million euros by specialists. This is how the computer protection of the documentary site worthy of a State or a multinational and would cost up to 100,000 euros of rental per week.
In the short term, these maneuvers seek to prevent a series of appointments as well as a government reshuffle planned for the end of November, that is to say just after the National Day, generates each year on the 19th, Saint-Rainier’s day. It was therefore urgent for the sponsor (s): to prevent the sovereign from announcing his institutional reforms, his government reshuffle, as well as appointments to key positions in the State and the princely cabinet. On this occasion, according to a person close to the palace, Prince Albert II would be tempted to “separate himself from a few barons of local politics in order to develop the government team in depth and bring out new talents”.
In an interview with Denis Carreaux, the editorial director of the Nice-Matin Group, the prince confirmed that he would not give in to threats. “These manipulations, managed from foreign sites protected by anonymity and using false names, do not impress me, on the contrary. I am staying the course and will not let myself be diverted from my agenda. I will also have the opportunity to communicate shortly on important appointments and on the strengthening of the government team. A close advisor to the prince confirms: “One of the objectives of the government should be, among other things, to intensify the fight against corruption by systematizing transparent calls for tenders and by banning over-the-counter contracts. The sovereign’s will is, in fact, to move up a gear now in order to make the Principality an undisputed benchmark in terms of governance. “
Recent appointments were undoubtedly perceived by the sponsors of this mafia campaign as a declaration of war
One suggests to the palace that the opponents of reform could give ground. The sovereign has already outlined a roadmap for his future government, with three axes: making Monaco a “smart-city” in terms of the environment and safeguarding the Mediterranean; To its international attractiveness and make it a “magnet” for innovative companies and young entrepreneurs; finally, to become exemplary in terms of transparency. A program not necessarily to everyone’s taste!
Recent appointments, including that of Céline Caron-Diagoni – known for her integrity – to the Ministry of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning, in August 2021, were undoubtedly received by the sponsors of this mafia campaign like a declaration of war. Some would have preferred to this strategic position a person more malleable and skilled at providing services … A close friend of the file confirmed in a nutshell: “Obviously, the sponsor can only be a company, or a group of companies with questionable practices and with considerable resources, which wants to prevent Prince Albert II from stepping up the fight against corruption and from appointing irreproachable personalities to key posts in the Principality. “
“Monaco no longer meets the definition of a tax haven for a very long time”, declared Albert II recently.
The measures desired by Prince Albert are of great concern to local and regional interests. Where transparency and fairness are part of the vision (ecological and digital transition) of the prince, who hates corruption. Under its aegis, Monaco has recourse in matters of governance. The Principality has joined the OECD standards and is no longer considered a tax haven. In fact, the palace has been working for several years because the Rock washes whiter than white. “Monaco no longer meets the definition of a tax haven for a very long time”, declared Albert II recently. The country is no longer on any blacklist of international organizations and has made considerable progress since the 2008 financial crisis. Banking secrecy no longer exists; Monaco has signed the multilateral convention and exchanges information with foreign administrations. Le Rocher’s judicial cooperation with France and other countries is now considered exemplary. The general prosecutor’s office and the Monegasque police officers react quickly when called upon by France or other nations to carry out searches, carry out seizures or freeze bank accounts.
Energetic actions have been launched with the various digital platforms with a view to removing false publications, and reports of findings have been drawn up in order to support the numerous criminal and civil actions. Led by Minister of State Pierre Dartout, a former prefect renowned for his righteousness and appointed by the sovereign a year ago, the princely government is preparing to request the assistance and support of France, whose services have the means of combating the contact details of cyber attacks. The General Directorate of Internal Security and the government agency for combating fake news Viginum could help. “We have no interest in destabilizing the Principality of Monaco, at a time when it continues to develop its anti-corruption tools. Attacking Monaco is also attacking France, ”says one in Paris.
Who benefits from this smear campaign?
A preliminary investigation was opened in Monaco and entrusted to the Principality’s police after the filing of a criminal complaint against this accusation on the Internet of several relatives of Prince Albert II, confirmed the Monegasque prosecution on October 28. This complaint was lodged in Monaco by Me Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, lawyer for the four people concerned. In addition, civil complaints were filed the day before, in Paris, in particular for “defamation”, “false accusations” and “slanderous accusations”, corroborated Me Luc Brossollet, who himself lodged a complaint “for violation of correspondence and piracy ”.
Who benefits from this smear campaign? In both capitals, it is rumored that powerful real estate and financial interests are aiming for hegemony in the Principality, behind these attacks. The name of a local real estate mogul comes up frequently. Confronted with this state affair, on a scale unprecedented in Monegasque history, Prince Albert II is staying the course. He participated in the Cop26 in Glasgow, before leaving for Dubai for the Universal Exhibition and then returning on the Monaco National Day. More than ever, it intends to accelerate the virtuous reforms initiated since its inception in 2005.
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