The man who slapped the French President, Emmanuel Macron, has been sentenced to an 18-month jail term in a court hearing on Thursday.

On June 8, French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped by a man during his trip to southeast France.

Also watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-president-emmanuel-macron-slapped-during-visit-to-southeast-france-390185">President Emmanuel Macron slapped during visit to southeast France</a>

The 43-year-old leader was touring the village of Tain-l'Hermitage in the Drome region when he approached the barrier to engage and shake hands with the people who had lined up to meet their President.

As Macron approached the barrier to shake hands with a spectator, a man dressed in a green t-shirt, glasses and face mask slapped the President across his face.

Also watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-from-a-tight-slap-to-macron-to-flying-shoe-at-george-w-bush-when-world-leaders-were-at-the-receiving-end-390283">From a tight slap to Macron to flying shoe at George W Bush — When world leaders were at the receiving end</a>

The attacker was also heard yelling 'A Bas La Macronie' (Down with Macron) and 'Montjoie Saint Denis' (a battle cry of the French armies when the country was still a monarchy) before slapping the leader.

He was identified as Damien Tarel, a 28-year-old medieval history enthusiast, was pinned down by Macron’s security officers immediately after the attack and was in custody since the assault.

The prosecutor called this attack to be "an act of deliberate violence" and "absolutely unacceptable". Tarel was given an 18-month jail term,&nbsp;14 of which were suspended.

The man who slapped the French President, Emmanuel Macron, has been sentenced to an 18-month jail term in a court hearing on Thursday. On June 8, French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped by a man during his trip to southeast France.

The man who slapped the French President, Emmanuel Macron, has been sentenced to an 18-month jail term in a court hearing on Thursday. On June 8, French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped by a man during his trip to southeast France. Also watch | President Emmanuel Macron slapped during visit to southeast France The 43-year-old leader was touring the village of Tain-l'Hermitage in the Drome region when he approached the barrier to engage and shake hands with the people who had lined up to meet their President. As Macron approached the barrier to shake hands with a spectator, a man dressed in a green t-shirt, glasses and face mask slapped the President across his face. Also watch | From a tight slap to Macron to flying shoe at George W Bush — When world leaders were at the receiving end The attacker was also heard yelling 'A Bas La Macronie' (Down with Macron) and 'Montjoie Saint Denis' (a battle cry of the French armies when the country was still a monarchy) before slapping the leader. He was identified as Damien Tarel, a 28-year-old medieval history enthusiast, was pinned down by Macron’s security officers immediately after the attack and was in custody since the assault. The prosecutor called this attack to be "an act of deliberate violence" and "absolutely unacceptable". Tarel was given an 18-month jail term, 14 of which were suspended.

France: Man who slapped Macron jailed for 18 months

People of France have taken over the streets to protest against the&nbsp;planned security law being brought in by the French President Emmanuel Macron.

A series of protests broke out throughout the country where people took to streets to carry out massive demonstrations and rallies to voice their concern against the proposed security law. The protests started as peaceful demonstrations, but as the crowd grew thicker, the local police departments imposed stricter rules and the protests soon turned into a warn zone-like situation.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-clash-with-police-in-paris-over-security-law-347788">Protesters clash with police in Paris over security law</a>

After day-long protest, the French police arrested 95 people across the country. While the protestors accused the police of extreme violence, the French police reported 67 of their officers have suffered injuries while trying to control the demonstrations,&nbsp;Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin told reporters on Sunday.

In Paris alone, 48 police officers were injured. In addition to this, a firefighter, too, was injured after he was hit by a projectile while serving his duty at the site of the demonstrations. The Paris Police Department arrested 25 people, out which two were identified as minors.

This was the second weekend of such protests, however, the intensity of these demonstrations was higher this weekend. When people took to streets with boards in hands and anti-government slogans, nobody was expecting such a violent clash between the locals and the police officers.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paris-protesters-clash-with-police-vandalise-property-347812">WATCH|</a>

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However, as the day progressed, vehicles were lit on fire, several disputes broke off and windows of local shops and showrooms were smashed. The French police, in return,&nbsp;fired tear gas shells on the demonstrators.

The numbers demonstrating on Saturday were significantly down, with the nationwide figure at 52,350 against 133,000 a week earlier, the interior ministry said. Around 5,000 people demonstrated in Paris against 46,000 last week, it added. A police source on Saturday blamed the violence on 400 to 500 radical elements.

Meanwhile, Macron and his administration have decided to rewrite the draft.&nbsp;According to the controversial article 24, the plan deemed sharing of images of police with "obvious intention to harm" punishable by a year in prison and $54,000 fine. The protestors argue this will be a major breach of human rights.

People of France have taken over the streets to protest against the planned security law being brought in by the French President Emmanuel Macron. A series of protests broke out throughout the country where people took to streets to carry out massive demonstrations and rallies to voice their concern against the proposed security law.

People of France have taken over the streets to protest against the planned security law being brought in by the French President Emmanuel Macron. A series of protests broke out throughout the country where people took to streets to carry out massive demonstrations and rallies to voice their concern against the proposed security law. The protests started as peaceful demonstrations, but as the crowd grew thicker, the local police departments imposed stricter rules and the protests soon turned into a warn zone-like situation. Also read| Protesters clash with police in Paris over security law After day-long protest, the French police arrested 95 people across the country. While the protestors accused the police of extreme violence, the French police reported 67 of their officers have suffered injuries while trying to control the demonstrations, Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin told reporters on Sunday. In Paris alone, 48 police officers were injured. In addition to this, a firefighter, too, was injured after he was hit by a projectile while serving his duty at the site of the demonstrations. The Paris Police Department arrested 25 people, out which two were identified as minors. This was the second weekend of such protests, however, the intensity of these demonstrations was higher this weekend. When people took to streets with boards in hands and anti-government slogans, nobody was expecting such a violent clash between the locals and the police officers. WATCH| × However, as the day progressed, vehicles were lit on fire, several disputes broke off and windows of local shops and showrooms were smashed. The French police, in return, fired tear gas shells on the demonstrators. The numbers demonstrating on Saturday were significantly down, with the nationwide figure at 52,350 against 133,000 a week earlier, the interior ministry said. Around 5,000 people demonstrated in Paris against 46,000 last week, it added. A police source on Saturday blamed the violence on 400 to 500 radical elements. Meanwhile, Macron and his administration have decided to rewrite the draft. According to the controversial article 24, the plan deemed sharing of images of police with "obvious intention to harm" punishable by a year in prison and $54,000 fine. The protestors argue this will be a major breach of human rights.

France: Police arrest 95 demonstrators amid protests against national security law

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused the French&nbsp;President Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;of "attacking Islam" after the French leader defended the publication of the controversial&nbsp;cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

The statement came after Macron, last week, said the teacher&nbsp;"was killed because Islamists want our future." His statement was for the French school teacher who was beheaded near the capital city Paris for showing&nbsp;cartoons of the Prophet during a class he was leading on free speech.

Commenting on his leadership skills, Imran slammed Macron saying, "Hallmark of a leader is he unites human beings, as Mandela did, rather than dividing them."

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Hallmark of a leader is he unites human beings, as Mandela did, rather than dividing them. This is a time when Pres Macron could have put healing touch &amp; denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation &amp; marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalisation
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1320286659477442565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"This is a time when Pres Macron could have put healing touch &amp; denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation &amp; marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalisation," his tweet continued.

Khan accused Macron of encouraging 'Islamophobia' and of "attacking Islam".

Khan has spoken against Macron after he claimed, this month, that&nbsp;"Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world".

"It is unfortunate that he has chosen to encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than the terrorists who carry out violence, be it Muslims, White Supremacists or Nazi ideologists. Sadly, President Macron has chosen to deliberately provoke Muslims, incl his own citizens,&nbsp;through encouraging the display of blasphemous cartoons targeting Islam &amp; our Prophet PBUH. By attacking Islam, &nbsp; clearly without having any understanding of it, President Macron has attacked &amp; hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe &amp; across the world," his tweet read.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused the French President Emmanuel Macron of "attacking Islam" after the French leader defended the publication of the controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused the French President Emmanuel Macron of "attacking Islam" after the French leader defended the publication of the controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. The statement came after Macron, last week, said the teacher "was killed because Islamists want our future." His statement was for the French school teacher who was beheaded near the capital city Paris for showing cartoons of the Prophet during a class he was leading on free speech. Commenting on his leadership skills, Imran slammed Macron saying, "Hallmark of a leader is he unites human beings, as Mandela did, rather than dividing them." Hallmark of a leader is he unites human beings, as Mandela did, rather than dividing them. This is a time when Pres Macron could have put healing touch & denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation & marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalisation — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 25, 2020 × "This is a time when Pres Macron could have put healing touch & denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation & marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalisation," his tweet continued. Khan accused Macron of encouraging 'Islamophobia' and of "attacking Islam". Khan has spoken against Macron after he claimed, this month, that "Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world". "It is unfortunate that he has chosen to encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than the terrorists who carry out violence, be it Muslims, White Supremacists or Nazi ideologists. Sadly, President Macron has chosen to deliberately provoke Muslims, incl his own citizens, through encouraging the display of blasphemous cartoons targeting Islam & our Prophet PBUH. By attacking Islam, clearly without having any understanding of it, President Macron has attacked & hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe & across the world," his tweet read.

Pakistan's Imran Khan accuses French President Emmanuel Macron of 'attacking Islam'

A primary suspect of the Charlie Hebdo shooting has denied any responsibility of the heinous attack that took place in 2015.

&nbsp;Ali Riza Polat, a 35-year-old Franco-Turkish man, who was jailed a few weeks after the attacks said "I am innocent" when he was put on trial on Friday.

"I'm here because certain people, lying squealers, said all sorts of nonsense... but they're lying," he said.

Polat, who was born in Istanbul, moved to France when he was three-years-old. He admitted to taking part in petty crimes at the age of 13 or 14, and usage of drugs, but he denied any involvement in the attack aimed at the magazine's office and other venues in Paris.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/charlie-hebdo-trials-what-the-world-can-learn-from-french-president-emmanuel-macron-324834">Also read|&nbsp;Charlie Hebdo trials: What the world can learn from French President Emmanuel Macron</a>

He has been accused of providing the weapons used by the three gunmen and is facing trial for the charge of complicity in a terrorist act. He is looking at a potential life sentence, if proven guilty. Polat was also accused of trying to flee the country and heading to Syria.

However, labelling himself as "innocent" Polat has denied all claims and has said, "I have nothing to do with them. You cannot kill the innocent... I am not violent."

Polat is&nbsp; being represented by&nbsp;Isabelle Coutant-Peyre&nbsp;who is famous for defending&nbsp;the convicted international terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, and later marrying him in prison.

A primary suspect of the Charlie Hebdo shooting has denied any responsibility of the heinous attack that took place in 2015. Ali Riza Polat, a 35-year-old Franco-Turkish man, who was jailed a few weeks after the attacks said "I am innocent" when he was put on trial on Friday.

A primary suspect of the Charlie Hebdo shooting has denied any responsibility of the heinous attack that took place in 2015. Ali Riza Polat, a 35-year-old Franco-Turkish man, who was jailed a few weeks after the attacks said "I am innocent" when he was put on trial on Friday. "I'm here because certain people, lying squealers, said all sorts of nonsense... but they're lying," he said. Polat, who was born in Istanbul, moved to France when he was three-years-old. He admitted to taking part in petty crimes at the age of 13 or 14, and usage of drugs, but he denied any involvement in the attack aimed at the magazine's office and other venues in Paris. Also read| Charlie Hebdo trials: What the world can learn from French President Emmanuel Macron He has been accused of providing the weapons used by the three gunmen and is facing trial for the charge of complicity in a terrorist act. He is looking at a potential life sentence, if proven guilty. Polat was also accused of trying to flee the country and heading to Syria. However, labelling himself as "innocent" Polat has denied all claims and has said, "I have nothing to do with them. You cannot kill the innocent... I am not violent." Polat is being represented by Isabelle Coutant-Peyre who is famous for defending the convicted international terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, and later marrying him in prison.

'I am innocent': Prime suspect of Charlie Hebdo shooting declines all accusations

Five years ago in January 2015, Paris was rocked by a series of terror attacks which killed 17 people. The attacks began&nbsp;on January 07 when two&nbsp;brothers entered the office of French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, and opened fire during its edit meeting, killing 12 people.

The terrorists were identified as Saïd and Chérif Kouachi.

Reports claimed that witnesses heard the terrorists shouting&nbsp;"we have avenged the prophet' and 'god is great". The terrorists were neutralised two days later.

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On the same day, on January 09, a supermarket was attacked where five people were shot.

The attacks were triggered by&nbsp;a series of cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo. The satirical magazine had lampooned prophet Mohammad. To many, it was blasphemy. However, that does not&nbsp;justify killing people in cold blood.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-on-alert-as-charlie-hebdo-reprints-prophet-mohammads-caricature-324588">Also read|&nbsp;France on alert as Charlie Hebdo reprints prophet Mohammad's caricature</a>

Five&nbsp;years on, 14 people are standing trial for the Charlie Hebdo killings. They are facing various charges, including providing arms and logistical support to the terrorists

The trial is being called 'historic'. It is likely to go on for at least 49 days. Reports claim there are at least 200 plaintiffs and&nbsp;144 witnesses are likely to testify in the courtroom. Special viewing galleries have been opened for the public. They can see the accused being tried in the Paris court.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-freedom-of-the-press-says-macron-on-charlie-hebdo-row-324656">Also read|&nbsp;We have freedom of the press, says Macron on Charlie Hebdo row</a>

Charlie Hebdo republished the controversial cartoons yesterday to mark the start of the trial.&nbsp;The republishing of the cartoons was aimed at making a statement in support of free speech and expression.

While Charlie Hebdo found support from across the globe, there were others who criticised it for reopening old wounds.&nbsp;Among them was Pakistan. It said "offending billions of muslims cannot be justified as an exercise in press freedom or freedom of expression"

The French President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron said,&nbsp;"I think the president of the republic in France should never qualify editorial choices of a journalist, editorial staff, never. Because there is a freedom of the press that you are rightly so attached to, deeply."

Macron upheld the freedom of expression. He had the chance to use secularism as an excuse to appease the minority, the nearly five million Muslims of France. However, Macron chose to steer clear of it. Instead, he mentioned that in France you have the freedom to blaspheme, and that blasphemy should not come in between freedom of press or the freedom of expression.

From where I stand, I am here to protect all these freedoms so it's not up to me to qualify the choices of journalists, I can only say that in france, we can criticise governments, presidents, to be blasphemous, etc,"&nbsp;Macron said.

He&nbsp;also added that sketches are not hate speeches. His stand on&nbsp;this controversial issue is exemplary, and there is a lesson for leaders across the globe. It is very easy to succumb to international pressure or&nbsp;slaughter the rights of the majority to appease the minority, or selectively apply the principle of secularism.&nbsp;Standing up for the freedom of expression is never easy, but it is always the right thing to do.

Five years ago in January 2015, Paris was rocked by a series of terror attacks which killed 17 people. The attacks began on January 07 when two brothers entered the office of French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, and opened fire during its edit meeting, killing 12 people.

Five years ago in January 2015, Paris was rocked by a series of terror attacks which killed 17 people. The attacks began on January 07 when two brothers entered the office of French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, and opened fire during its edit meeting, killing 12 people. The terrorists were identified as Saïd and Chérif Kouachi. Reports claimed that witnesses heard the terrorists shouting "we have avenged the prophet' and 'god is great". The terrorists were neutralised two days later. On the same day, on January 09, a supermarket was attacked where five people were shot. The attacks were triggered by a series of cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo. The satirical magazine had lampooned prophet Mohammad. To many, it was blasphemy. However, that does not justify killing people in cold blood. Also read| France on alert as Charlie Hebdo reprints prophet Mohammad's caricature Five years on, 14 people are standing trial for the Charlie Hebdo killings. They are facing various charges, including providing arms and logistical support to the terrorists The trial is being called 'historic'. It is likely to go on for at least 49 days. Reports claim there are at least 200 plaintiffs and 144 witnesses are likely to testify in the courtroom. Special viewing galleries have been opened for the public. They can see the accused being tried in the Paris court. Also read| We have freedom of the press, says Macron on Charlie Hebdo row Charlie Hebdo republished the controversial cartoons yesterday to mark the start of the trial. The republishing of the cartoons was aimed at making a statement in support of free speech and expression. While Charlie Hebdo found support from across the globe, there were others who criticised it for reopening old wounds. Among them was Pakistan. It said "offending billions of muslims cannot be justified as an exercise in press freedom or freedom of expression" The French President Emmanuel Macron said, "I think the president of the republic in France should never qualify editorial choices of a journalist, editorial staff, never. Because there is a freedom of the press that you are rightly so attached to, deeply." Macron upheld the freedom of expression. He had the chance to use secularism as an excuse to appease the minority, the nearly five million Muslims of France. However, Macron chose to steer clear of it. Instead, he mentioned that in France you have the freedom to blaspheme, and that blasphemy should not come in between freedom of press or the freedom of expression. From where I stand, I am here to protect all these freedoms so it's not up to me to qualify the choices of journalists, I can only say that in france, we can criticise governments, presidents, to be blasphemous, etc," Macron said. He also added that sketches are not hate speeches. His stand on this controversial issue is exemplary, and there is a lesson for leaders across the globe. It is very easy to succumb to international pressure or slaughter the rights of the majority to appease the minority, or selectively apply the principle of secularism. Standing up for the freedom of expression is never easy, but it is always the right thing to do.

Charlie Hebdo trials: What the world can learn from French President Emmanuel Macron

President of France Emmanuel Macron on Sunday condemned the 'cowardly" attack on humanitarian workers in Niger and said he would do everything to shed light on the incident in which eight people died.

Emmanuel Macron condemns 'Cowardly' killing of aid workers in Niger | World News