2 Frenchmen on trial for stealing Macron's online identity

PARIS – Two Frenchmen are going on trial for allegedly stealing Emmanuel Macron's online identity last year when he was running for president.

The unusual case to be heard Wednesday in a Paris court followed a complaint filed by Macron a few days before he was elected French president in May.

The main defendant is accused of using a Gmail address purporting to belong to Macron to send a long political email titled "10 good reasons not to vote for me."

The 38-year-old has denied any intent to pose as Macron. He faces up to one year in prison and a 15,000-euro ($17,600) fine if convicted.

At the request of Macron, the French Parliament is preparing a bill aimed at allowing courts to quash false information disseminated around electoral campaigns.