Jacques Verges Famous French lawyer Date of Birth: 05.03.1925 Country: France

1. The Advocate of the Devil
2. Early Life and Education
3. The Algerian Independence Movement
4. The Mysterious Years
5. The Return of the "Loudmouth"
6. Later Career
7. Cambodia and the End

The Advocate of the Devil

Jacques Vergès, a renowned French lawyer, gained notoriety primarily through his clients. Vergès's clientele included an extraordinary array of individuals, ranging from terrorists and Nazi war criminals to revolutionaries and dictators.

Early Life and Education

Jacques Vergès was born in the Rattanakosin Kingdom and grew up on the island of Réunion, the son of a French diplomat and a Vietnamese mother. In 1942, his father convinced him to join Charles de Gaulle's anti-Nazi Resistance in Liverpool. In 1945, Vergès joined the French Communist Party.

After the war, Vergès studied law at the University of Paris. In 1949, he became president of the Association for Colonial Students, where he befriended Pol Pot. Upon his return to France, Vergès began practicing law, quickly gaining a reputation for his involvement in high-profile cases.

The Algerian Independence Movement

Vergès played a prominent role in defending Algerian terrorists. He actively supported Algeria's quest for independence, equating French colonial rule to Nazism. His most famous client was the revolutionary Djamila Bouhired, accused of terrorism by French authorities. Vergès's novel tactic of turning the tables on the prosecution generated significant attention but did not result in an acquittal. Bouhired was sentenced to death, but later released amid international outcry. She went on to marry her lawyer, who had converted to Islam.

The Mysterious Years

After Algeria gained independence, Vergès became a citizen and adopted the name Mansour. His whereabouts between 1970 and 1978 remain shrouded in mystery, with some believing he spent time in Cambodia with Pol Pot while others claim he was part of Palestinian military operations in the Middle East.

The Return of the "Loudmouth"

Upon his return, Vergès continued his defense of controversial clients. During this period, he represented Georges Ibrahim Abdallah and the notorious "Butcher of Lyon," Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie.

Later Career

In 1999, Jacques Vergès sued Amnesty International on behalf of Togo's government. In 2001, he filed suit against François-Xavier Verschave, author of the book "Noir silence," on behalf of African leaders. After the US invasion of Iraq, Vergès offered to defend Saddam Hussein, but Hussein's family opted for a team of Jordanian lawyers.

Cambodia and the End

In April 2008, Vergès appeared before a Cambodian tribunal, defending Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan on charges of genocide. Vergès argued that Samphan was not directly responsible for the widespread killings as he was simply the head of state.

Jacques Vergès passed away in Paris on August 15, 2013, at the age of 88.