French-ex President Sarkozy loses free speech case

This French video, from when Nicolas Sarkozy was still president of France, shows Sarkozy saying to a non-Sarkozy supporting farmer: “Casse-toi, alors, pauvre con” (Piss off, asshole).

Translated from NOS TV in the Netherlands:

Court criticizes penalty for insulting Sarkozy

Updated: Thursday, 14 March 2013, 11:42

The European Court of Human Rights has admonished France about the conviction of a man who had insulted President Sarkozy. The man had put a sign next to the car of the president, saying “Piss off, asshole.”

The man appealed against the 30 euros fine. The judges in Strasbourg have found that the action by the man is freedom of expression and that the punishment is disproportionate.

The text on the anti-Sarkozy sign was the literal repetition of the insult by Sarkozy of someone who had refused to shake his hand.

See also here.

Nicolas Sarkozy to Go Work for Qatar ~ Slate: here.

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