Gérard Simon acquitted in Chouette d'or defamation trial

A court in Strasbourg has acquitted Gérard Simon, president of the Association des chercheurs de la Chouette d'or (A2CO), in a defamation lawsuit brought by Michel Becker, the organizer of the famous treasure hunt. The legal dispute arose from online comments made by Simon, who criticized the organization of the hunt, describing it as a ‘farce’ and a ‘fiasco.’

The tribunal ruled that Simon’s remarks were protected under freedom of expression and did not constitute defamation. As a result, Michel Becker and the SAS Les éditions de la Chouette d'or have been ordered to pay 2,500 euros each to Simon and the A2CO association.

The ruling follows significant tension within the treasure hunting community after Becker announced in October 2024 that the treasure had been discovered in Dabo, Moselle. Some enthusiasts, including Simon, have contested the validity of the discovery. Becker previously cited a ‘deleterious climate’ of rumors and harassment as a reason for postponing the launch of a new treasure hunt.