Court: Conviction for insulting Sarkozy broke law

Europe March 14, 2013

Court: Conviction for insulting Sarkozy broke law

PARIS (AP) — The European Court of Human Rights says a French court violated a man's freedom of expression when it convicted him of insulting Nicolas Sarkozy by turning the then-president's own words against him.

During a 2008 visit by Sarkozy to western France, Herve Eon waved a placard that read — in its mildest translation — "Get lost, poor jerk." That exact expression was used by the president himself months earlier while he was glad-handing a crowd.

Eon was convicted of insulting the president and received a suspended penalty of €30 in fines. But the European court said Thursday the conviction violated Eon's right to free expression and could have a chilling effect on satirical commentary.

The decision can be appealed one last time to the court's Grand Chamber.

Subjects
People
- Nicolas Sarkozy
Locations
- France,
- Europe,
- Western Europe
Organisations
- France government

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