Man who slapped French president sentenced to four months in jail

Damien Tarel, a 28-year-old medieval history enthusiast, who slapped President Emmanuel Macron of France has been sentenced to four months in jail.

Tarel, in a video that surfaced on social media on Tuesday, was seen assaulting the French president.

According to French media, the incident took place during an official visit to Tain-l’Hermitage, a city in the south-east of France.

Macron had emerged from a building and walked towards persons gathered behind a barricade to talk to them.

As he stretched out his hand, Tarel held on to him and slapped him in the face with his right hand.

The security aides of Macron promptly intervened and pulled him out of the situation.

Tarel was then arrested by security aides and detained.

On Thursday, he was charged to court for assault against a public offence — an offence with a maximum sentence of three years in jail and a fine of €45,000.

During his trial, Tarel told the court that the slap was unplanned and that he was triggered by what he described as the decline of the country.

He also told the court that he had thought about throwing an egg or a cream tart at the president.

“I think that Macron represents very neatly the decay of our country,” he told the court, Aljazeera quoted BFM TV.

“If I had challenged Macron to a duel at sunrise, I doubt he would have responded.”

The court sentenced him to 18 months in jail, but 14 months were suspended until he commits another offence.

He was also banned from ever holding public office and from owning weapons for five years.