Date of Birth: March 5, 1925
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: August 15, 2013
Biography
Jacques Vergès was a French lawyer known for his controversial defense of clients accused of terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Born in Thailand to a Vietnamese mother and a French father, Vergès was a complex figure who earned the nickname “the Devil’s advocate” for his willingness to defend individuals shunned by society. His career spanned several decades, during which he represented high-profile figures like Klaus Barbie, the Nazi war criminal, and Carlos the Jackal, the notorious terrorist. Vergès was also a political activist and was involved in anti-colonial movements in Algeria and other countries. He was a staunch advocate of what he called “rupture defense,” a strategy aimed at challenging the legitimacy of the court itself.
5 Interesting Facts about Jacques Verges
1. Jacques Vergès disappeared without a trace from 1970 to 1978, and his whereabouts during this period remain a mystery.
2. He was married to Djamila Bouhired, a former Algerian freedom fighter, and they had two children together.
3. Vergès wrote several books, including “De la stratégie judiciaire” (On Judicial Strategy) and “Le Salaud lumineux” (The Luminous Bastard).
4. He defended Slobodan Milošević, the former President of Serbia, as well as other controversial figures like Pol Pot and Tariq Aziz.
5. Vergès was known for his connections with various revolutionary movements and often used his legal career to further his political beliefs.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jacques Verges
1. “I would have defended Hitler.”
2. “The justice system is a facade for moral judgements.”
3. “Every criminal is a human being.”
4. “A lawyer is not a priest; he is a combatant.”
5. “Defending someone does not mean sharing their ideas.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Jacques Vergès’ highest net worth is not publicly documented, but he was known to have a successful and lucrative career.
Children
Jacques Vergès had two children with Djamila Bouhired: a son, Meriem, and a daughter, Liess Vergès.
Relevant Links
1. [Jacques Vergès – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Verg%C3%A8s
Note: The links provided are for reference purposes and further reading about Jacques Vergès.
