During a demonstration in Aveyron against the installation of windmills a group of ecologists tipped sacks of leaves at the feet of gendarmes policing the event. The policemen were not pleased and an altercation was finally broken up by CRS agents using tear gas. But one policeman brought charges against the only demonstrator arrested for "deliberate violence against a person in authority by throwing vegetable leaves". Although the agent did not lose any days off work he was subject to "psychological violence".
The court fined the aggressor 500 euros, plus 300 euros damages to the victim and 500 euros lawyers' fees. This is a warning that insulting a policeman can lead to a claim for damages on a personal basis by the agent whose uniform must be respected.
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