French billionaire Olivier Bouygues appeared in court in Orléans on Monday.
He faces charges over alleged illegal hunting. The case involves protected bird species on his private estate in Sologne.
Bouygues is standing trial with five other defendants. The court expects the proceedings to last two days.
The case has attracted major attention in France. It also marks an unusual moment for French justice.
If the court finds the defendants guilty, they could face up to seven years in prison. They could also receive fines of up to €750,000.
Police found protected birds
The investigation began after police received an anonymous tip.
Officers searched Bouygues’ 600-hectare estate in June last year. They found what investigators described as a mass grave.
The grave contained several protected bird species.
Those birds included great egrets, harriers and kestrels. Police also found great cormorants and common buzzards.
In addition, officers discovered prohibited equipment. The items included weapons and jaw traps.
French authorities banned those traps in 1995.
Investigators also found a list of animal species. Some of those species receive legal protection.
The list allegedly identified animals that someone wanted to eliminate.
Police also found signs of earlier killings. They seized an excavator from the Fontenaille estate.
Investigators say someone used the machine to dig graves for hunted animals.
Environmental groups demand action
The case has drawn strong criticism from environmental groups.
Allain Bougrain-Dubourg leads the League for the Protection of Birds. He said the case should send a warning to wealthy people.
He accused some wealthy individuals of ignoring biodiversity rules.
“Biodiversity is capable of suffering and the regulations are made for everyone,” he said.
He also stressed that wealth should not place anyone above the law.
The League for the Protection of Birds has joined the case as a civil party.
Moreover, around 15 other environmental and animal protection groups have joined the proceedings.
Prosecutors allege years of illegal activity
The regional public prosecutor says the investigation points to years of illegal practices.
Those alleged practices took place on Bouygues’ private hunting ground.
The estate lies in Sologne. The region contains one of France’s largest forest areas.
It also attracts wealthy landowners and hunting enthusiasts.
Bouygues is 75 years old. His father, Francis Bouygues, founded the construction and media group that bears the family name.
His brother, Martin Bouygues, previously led the Bouygues group as chief executive.
Landmark wildlife case
Five of the six defendants appeared in court on Monday.
Prosecutors will present evidence about the alleged destruction of protected species.
Meanwhile, environmental groups say the case raises a wider issue.
They want authorities to enforce wildlife laws equally. In their view, wealth should not influence how authorities apply those laws.
The trial could therefore have wider significance for biodiversity protection in France.
The court expects to hear the case over two days. However, all defendants remain innocent unless a court finds them guilty.
The proceedings will now determine whether prosecutors can prove the allegations against Bouygues and the other defendants.
