Franco-Spanish lawyer Juan Branco, known for representing Senegalese opponent Ousman Sonko, is set to appear before the Paris Bar Association in early April for a disciplinary procedure that could lead to the revocation of his bar license.

The disciplinary action stems from a series of tweets published by Branco in the summer of 2023, garnering over a million views, in which he broadcasted excerpts from legal proceedings and launched scathing attacks on Nissia B., an actress accusing him of rape.

Such public and biased disclosure of legal proceedings, along with the aggressive nature of Branco’s remarks towards his accuser, violate the professional rules of the legal profession.

In addition to the ongoing criminal case for rape initiated in 2021, a separate disciplinary action was opened last June by the Paris Bar Association against Branco, who also serves as one of Sonko’s lawyers. Branco faces the possibility of disbarment pending the outcome of the disciplinary council’s decision.

The criminal case against Branco dates back to November 23, 2021, when he was indicted in Paris for rape by an investigating judge.

The allegations, brought forward by a woman who was 20 at the time, involve an incident on April 27, 2021, where Branco and the woman allegedly engaged in a non-consensual sexual relationship after a walk in the Luxembourg Gardens and watching a film at Branco’s home.

Branco has maintained that the encounter was consensual, but the legal proceedings and his conduct on social media have raised serious concerns, leading to the disciplinary action and potential jeopardy to his legal career.