President calls for firmness against vandals

French President Emmanuel Macron urged "the greatest firmness" against vandals during a speech to the nation on Sunday evening, emphasizing the need for strong responses to acts of destruction and disorder.

Court faces a non-stereotypical defendant

The next day, the correctional court in Nîmes had the opportunity to act on Macron's call when it judged a 24-year-old man who defied the typical image of a vandal. The accused holds a bac+5, a higher education qualification, and is currently a trainee teacher at a public middle school in Nîmes.

Accused used protective gear during protest

Last Saturday, the future teacher joined 300 young people in a confrontation with police. He was equipped with a bicycle helmet, surgical mask, and swimming goggles, which the prosecutor described as "the gear of those who came to confront them."

Accused threw a heavy stone, injuring an officer

During the protest, the young man threw a stone weighing nearly 400 grams and 10 centimeters long, which injured a police officer. He claimed he "shot in their direction, but I did not want to hit them," and mentioned recently filling out a form to become a reserve police officer.

Prosecutor sought strict punishment

The prosecutor requested an 18-month prison sentence, one year of which must be served, along with a five-year ban from public office. This would have prevented the accused from continuing his career as a teacher.

Court imposed lighter sentence

However, the court sentenced the accused to 18 months in prison with a two-year probation period and dismissed the ban from holding public office. The young man can therefore continue his profession as a teacher, raising questions about the difference between the president's call for firmness and the court's leniency.