Illegal hunting of protected species trial opens in Orléans against French billionaire Olivier Bouygues

French billionaire Olivier Bouygues arrived at court on Monday in the French city of Orleans where he's on trial, along with five other people, for the illegal hunting of protected species on his private estate in the Salogne Forest. The landmark trial is expected to last two days, and is unprecedented in French justice. The investigation alleges that Bouygues' hunting grounds facilitated the illegal targeting of protected bird species, which include harriers, kestrels, and common buzzards. The lawsuit, brought forward by the League for the Protection of Birds, or LPO, is seeking up to seven years in prison and a fine of 750,000 euros. Bouygues was taken into custody last year after police, acting on an anonymous tip, executed a search warrant of his hunting grounds, where they uncovered mass graves of the protected animals. They also found weapons on the multi-billionaire's property, which have been outlawed since 1995. The LPO says the trial should serve as a warning to France's elite, and a reminder that they're not above the law.