Rogue trader expected in French jail, but will he show up?
Rogue trader Jérôme Kerviel could be behind bars this weekend after being ordered to present himself at a police station as soon as he returns to France. The ex-trader has until Sunday night to present himself at a police station in the Riviera border town of Menton. If not, police will be ordered to detain him.
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As prison beckons for the world's most famous trader, Jérôme Kerviel said he was 'happy' to be returning home after his three-month pilgrimage in Italy, to denounce the "tyranny" of finance.
He attended a final mass on Saturday in the Italian town of Ventimiglia on the border with France, given by the president of his support committee, bishop Jean-Michel di Falco. He then began the final leg of his lone walk back home.
Kerviel has until Sunday night to present himself at a police station in the Riviera border town of Menton. If not, police will be ordered to detain him.
His lawyer, David Koubbi says jailing the ex-trader is "laughable and disproportional". Koubbi has called on the French President not to jail his client until "we know all the facts." He wants bank Société Générale to be put on trial over the failure of its supervisory system.
However the bank maintains Kerviel knew exactly what he was doing when he lost them almost 5 bn euros. Kerviel has been tried in three different courts and found guilty each time.
In March, a court ruling upheld his five-year sentence but cancelled an order for him to repay the money he lost.
Kerviel met with pope Francis in February and since their meeting, he has secured the support of several church figures who also believe he has been made a scapegoat.
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