Trial of billionaire Olivier Bouygues over illegal bird hunting begins in France

The trial of French billionaire Olivier Buigs, who is accused of illegally hunting rare bird species on his private hunting grounds, has begun in Orleans. Euronews reports this.

75-year-old Buig, whose fortune is estimated at approximately 3.2 billion euros (about 320 billion rubles), appeared in court along with five other defendants. They are accused of illegal hunting, including of protected birds, on his 600-hectare Fontenelle estate in the forests of Sologne, located about 150 kilometers south of Paris. If proven guilty, the defendants face up to seven years in prison and a fine of 750 thousand euros (about 75 million rubles).

The investigation began after an anonymous call in 2025. During the search, police discovered a grave on the estate with the carcasses of protected birds, including great egrets, harriers, kestrels, great cormorants and common buzzards. In addition, traps, the use of which has been prohibited since 1995, and unlicensed weapons were seized. A list of animal species that the owner noted as “subject to destruction” was also found on the estate. This list included species protected by law.

The trial, which will last two days, is considered unprecedented in French judicial history. Bird Protection League President Allen Bougren-Dubourg said the case should serve as a warning to those who consider themselves above the law. About 15 environmental and animal protection organizations joined the case as civil plaintiffs.