EU court slams France for fining man over Sarkozy insultMarch 14, 2013 - 21:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France violated a demonstrator's freedom of expression when it fined him for insulting former President Nicolas Sarkozy, Europe's top human rights court ruled on Thursday, March 14, according to Reuters. Leftist activist Herve Eon was convicted in 2008 and given a 30 euro ($39) fine after holding up to Sarkozy's car a banner with the words "Get lost, jerk." The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) deemed the punishment disproportionate and a violation of freedom of expression, as the act was a "satirical remark." The words on the banner were those Sarkozy himself had directed earlier at a member of the public who refused to shake his hand during France's annual farm fair. Sarkozy's choice of words ignited a media firestorm, with critics saying his taunt was vulgar. The ECHR said a French appeals court had acknowledged that Eon's comments constituted "criticism of a political nature" for which "freedom of expression was of the highest importance." France, now under President Francois Hollande, can appeal for the decision to be reviewed by the court's Grand Chamber. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |