Lille (AFP)
The LR deputy of Bouches-du-Rhône, Éric Diard, was sentenced on Tuesday by the court of Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais) to a fine of 500 euros for public insults towards Willy Schraen, the boss of hunters, a we learned from the parties.
Mr. Diard was sentenced to a fine of 500 euros, 1,000 euros for damages and legal costs, told AFP Me Delcourt-Poudenx, lawyer for Mr. Schraen, confirming information from La Voices of the North.
In May 2020, Mr. Diard had published several tweets against the president of the National Federation of Hunters (FNC), describing him in particular as "asshole".
In his defense, "Mr. Diard sought to take refuge behind parliamentary immunity but did not succeed" said the lawyer, who had initially mentioned for AFP a "lifting" of immunity parliamentary.
Not applicable in this case, this measure allows the courts to carry out measures involving deprivation of liberty.
"The most striking thing is therefore that a deputy of the Republic was significantly condemned for insults", added Mr. Delcourt-Poudenx, hailing a "great success".
Contacted by AFP, Mr. Diard said he "reserved the right to appeal" this "unjust" decision, specifying that he did not regret his messages.
"It was an epidermal reaction to the words of Mr. Schraen, who had called for violence against environmentalists on the Chassons.com website, which is scandalous for a national president," he justified, adding that 'he had attacked "not all hunters but the person of Willy Schraen, who is excessive and who incites violence".
In October, eight people were sentenced by the same court to fines and citizenship courses for threatening death Willy Schraen on social networks.
On February 9, the former actress Brigitte Bardot, activist for the animal cause, is in turn summoned to the Arras court for having insulted the hunters and their president.
© 2021 AFP