A French court has convicted the far-right politician, Jean-Marie Le Pen, of breaking the country's anti-racism laws and ordered him to pay fines totalling $50,000.

The case against Mr Le Pen was brought by nine civil rights groups and referred to a statement which the National Front leader made in Munich in early December, when he called the Nazi gas chambers a detail of Second World War history.

Ten years ago Mr Le Pen was convicted for making similar remarks.

The court in the Paris suburb of Nanterre said the fines would pay for the printing of an apology in twelve French newspapers.

A BBC Correspondent in Paris says the resulting publicity is unlikely to damage Mr Le Pen.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©