Eric Drouet released on appeal -

ISA HARSIN / SIPA

While the "yellow vests" are back in the streets this Saturday, Eric Drouet, one of the emblematic figures of this movement, was released Friday on appeal for the "organization" of two demonstrations "without prior declaration", late 2018-early 2019, and for participating in one of them with a stick in his bag.

The road driver of Seine-et-Marne was sentenced to a 2,000 euros fine, including 500 suspended on March 29, 2019 for having organized - which he contested - the undeclared demonstrations of December 22, 2018 and January 2, 2019 .

"A piece of wood" or "a baton"

On September 4, 2019, he was also sentenced to a suspended fine of 500 euros for having participated in the same rally of December 22 with a stick in his bag - a simple "piece of wood" for him, a "baton" according to the prosecution.

He had, however, been released from the prosecution for "participating in a group formed with a view to violence".

The 35-year-old father had appealed against his two convictions.

His arrest canceled

Friday, the Paris Court of Appeal ruled jointly on the two cases: it canceled the arrest of Eric Drouet on December 22, 2018, judging it to be unfounded, and therefore also canceled all the procedure that followed.

In addition, the court released him for his role in the rally of January 2, 2019, considering that, "in the absence of a more in-depth investigation into the organization and the mode of operation of the movement" yellow vests ", it It cannot be ruled out that the accused is not the organizer of the rally and only relayed information ”.

"A remarkable victory"

"This is a remarkable victory, both in form and in substance", welcomed his lawyer Khéops Lara.

“The magistrates of the Paris Court of Appeal sanctioned both the illegal arrest (…) and the use of questionable criminal offenses in order to prevent him from speaking out and demonstrating.

"

"The Paris Court of Appeal thus recalls that Justice can also protect against arbitrary arrests and guarantee the peaceful exercise of the freedom to demonstrate ... even for the" yellow vests "whose right is still denied, to this day, by prefectural decrees in various metropolises in France, ”he continued.

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