French farmer who helped migrants cross from Italy gets suspended fine

Ersin Çelik
11:4810/02/2017, Friday
U: 10/02/2017, Friday
REUTERS
Cedric Herrou arrives for his trial at the courthouse in Nice, France.
Cedric Herrou arrives for his trial at the courthouse in Nice, France.

A French farmer who brought illegal migrants into France from Italy was handed a 3,000 euros ($3,192) suspended fine on Friday for his actions.



Cedric Herrou, from the Roya valley region on the border between the two countries, has became a household name in France - applauded by some for his conduct while criticised by others.



Immigration is a hot-button French political issue in a presidential election year, with many voters worried by the influx of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa.



Herrou has been lauded as a hero, however, among people who see what he has done as a purely humanitarian gesture, and he has vowed to continue his actions.



The Nice prosecutor had asked for an eight month suspended sentence.




#Refugees
#France
#Italy