French farmer arrested for helping migrants handed suspended fine
ADVERTISEMENTA French farmer who assisted illegal migrants to enter France from Italy has been handed a €3,000 suspended fine by a court in Nice.
Cedric Herrou from the Roya valley, which straddles both countries, has been vilified and lauded for his actions.
Telegraph Pics: Defiant French farmer Cédric Herrou given suspended fine for helping migra… https://t.co/mHxkuNbihgpic.twitter.com/xocEFgmRnw
— Truth (@FindSource) February 10, 2017
Herrou helped transport migrants, mainly from Eritrea and Sudan, into France from Italy and helped them find residence in the country.
He remains defiant, speaking outside the court he said: “Neither the threat of legal action nor the insults of certain politicians will stop us, it is necessary for us to continue.”
Herrou was apprehended at the border and taken into custody.
French farmer #CedricHerrou has just been convicted to pay a fine of 3.000€ with probation for sheltering migrants along ITA-FRA border. pic.twitter.com/MdgyvBsV10
— DW | Europe (@dw_europe) February 10, 2017
Under French law he faced a maximum five year prison term and a fine of €30,000.
The farmer wants the law, which he said penalises those helping people in need, scrapped.