French lawyer Jacques Verges, known as ‘the Devil’s Advocate,’ dead at 88
French lawyer Jacques Verges takes part in a press conference in Paris on April 3, 2011.
Jacques Verges, the French lawyer famous for defending the indefensible, died on Thursday at the age of 88.
During his career at the bar, Verges earned the nickname “the Devil’s advocate” for representing some of the world's most notorious figures.
His clients included Venezuelan terrorist Carlos the Jackal, Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic and Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie.
In 2011, Verges said he was ready to defend the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at the International Criminal Court if needed.
Verges was also said to have been a friend of Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, according to the BBC.
He died of natural causes in Paris.
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?