French appeals court upholds Isabelle Adjani's conviction for tax fraud

Defense points to tax advisor and lack of expertise

The actress also rejected being called a "thief." "Und das ist gut so, denn es wäre katastrophal gewesen," she had stated. The defense argued that Adjani had been deceived due to her lack of knowledge of tax matters.

The sentence handed down on Wednesday was significantly milder than the one imposed at first instance in 2023. At that time, the actress had been sentenced to two years' probation and a fine of 250,000 euros. In the appeal proceedings, the judges now imposed a fine of 10,000 euros.

Significantly milder sentence than at first instance

Adjanis lawyer expressed being "extremely relieved" about the reduced penalty. The decision is considered a partial success for the defense, even though the conviction itself stood. No details about the exact modalities of the sentence beyond what the defense disclosed were initially known.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Adjani was one of the most prominent French film stars and received the renowned César Award multiple times. She became known, among other things, for roles in films such as "Camille Claudel" and "The Handmaid's Tale."

Career of an award-winning actress

Following the first verdict in 2023, the French magazine Paris Match published a home story with photos of the apartment she said she had had converted into a "loft." The reports about her alleged primary residence in Portugal had contributed significantly to the charges.

The case casts a spotlight on the years-long debate over tax flight from France. Celebrities who purportedly relocate their permanent residence abroad in order to pay lower taxes regularly come into the authorities' crosshairs.

The defense announced that it would review the options for further legal examination of the verdict. Until then, Adjani is considered convicted; the reduced fine is regarded under French law as a mild success compared to the first instance.