PARIS (AP) – French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is standing trial over comments she made five years ago comparing Muslim street prayers to a foreign occupation.
Le Pen, whose National Front party is known for its anti-immigration and anti-Islam views, arrived Tuesday in court to be judged on charges of inciting racial hatred in Lyon, where she’ll face four anti-racism and human rights organizations.
“I have the right, as a political leader, to evoke a crucial issue and it’s even a duty for me to do it”, Marine Le Pen told reporters. She described herself as a victim of “judicial persecution”.
Her popularity on the rise in France, Le Pen faces up to a year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros ($51,000). The court’s ruling is expected to be set to a later date.
Despite the potential jail term, political experts say she could emerge from the trial even stronger among many National Front voters.