Remarks on Hitler and Travellers : Cholet’s mayor condemned to a suspended fine. The European Roma and Travellers Forum was among one of the NGOs who lodged a complaint against Mr Bourdouleix for for public condoning of crimes against humanity. Translation of the article by the ERTF secretariat. Gilles Bourdouleix, Deputy-Mayor of Cholet, was condemned on January 23rd to a 3,000 euros suspended fine for public condoning of crimes against humanity for his remarks on Travellers in July 2013, mentioning that “ perhaps Hitler didn’t kill enough of them”. Angers ‘Criminal Court decision fell short to the Public Prosecution Office requisition, who asked for a suspended sentence of six months imprisonment and a 5,000 euros fine against the elected representative. In July 2013, when intervening on an agricultural land illegally occupied by a hundred Travellers’caravans, the mayor was hailed by the occupiers to whom he sharply answered. He then told a journalist this sentence, that was repeated the next day in the newspaper Le Courrier de lOuest. M. Bourdouleix first contest that the information was true, until the journalist broadcast the recording, that was then authenticated by experts. The elected representative was also condemned to a 600 euros fine for insult and defamation against the journalist, who was then called a “shithead”, and his newspaper. He will have to pay in a symbolic euro to cover damages. Besides, Mr Bourdouleix was forced to leave his party, UDI, because of his remarks. « CLEARLY APOLOGETIC » For the Public Prosecutor at the Cholet Crown Court, Yves Gambert, the remark is « clearly apologetic [of crimes against humanity]. You cannot be clearer. It glorifies the committed crime and expresses the regret that not enough of them were killed ». “Mr Bourdouleix behaviour is absolutely unbearable for public policy. It damages our social values. [His statements] are a ferment of disorder, hatred and violence” added Yves Gambert. The Prosecutor noted that the remarks were followed by the question “hein?” (“eh?”). He considered that the political representative tried to get “his neighbour’s approval” and “perfectly knew that his remarks where loud enough” to be heard around. On Thursday, when the trial started, Pierre Brossard, Mr Bourdouleix’s lawyer raised an argument of invalidity, arguing that “ a speech involves an audience”. According to him, “when Mr Bourdouleix makes his remarks, he is not addressing anyone (…). He mutters. Muttering is talking indistinctly ». « Is someone who is saying silly things, who is driven to extremes after one hour and a half, who is received with Hitler salutes, without ever knowing that he is recorded, deserving to be crucified?” A SANCTION WHICH IS « NOT UP TO THE MARK » More than ten associations announced that they wanted to joining the proceedings as a private party but only the Ligue des droits de l’homme (LDH), Licra, Mrap and Fondation pour la mémoire de la deportation, Fédération nationale des déportés et internés résistants et patriotes’s registration were declared to be admissible. Travellers’ organisations ’registrations were not declared to be admissible. Michel Cartron, the local LDH President, said he was « satisfied that the offence was acknowledged, but disappointed that the sanction was not up to the mark”.”Populism is fed by light court decisions. What is one supposed to do and say to get the 45,0000 euros fines provided by law?”. Gilles Bourdouleix, is Cholet’s mayor since 1995 and deputy since 2002. He is known for having shown animosity towards Travellers. LDH also hopes that “these proceedings will put an end to this escalation”. lemonde.fr/politique/article/2014/01/23/propos-sur-les-tziganes-et-hitler-le-maire-de-cholet-condamne-a-une-amende-avec-sursis_4353653_823448.html#xtor=EPR-32280229-[Alaune]-20140124-[titres]
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 11:12:51 +0000
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