Man Who Slapped Macron Faces Immediate Trial Thursday

The man accused of slapping French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to southeastern France earlier this week will face an immediate trial on Thursday, authorities said.

Macron was on a visit to a Drôme hospitality school on Tuesday when he was struck in the face while shaking hands with a member of the public. The incident has sparked indignation throughout the country.

Footage circulated on social media showed the incident in Tain-l'Hermitage, around 90 kilometers south of Lyon.

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Damien Tarel, 28, the man who slapped the president, and his associate Arthur C., also 28, were quickly arrested. Neither had police records, the public prosecutor Alex Perrin said in a statement.

Perrin added that Tarel admitted during hearings to hitting the head of state and pronouncing words denouncing politics.

He added that the suspect, who is close to the "yellow vests" protest movement and shares ultra-right views, had "acted instinctively" to express his dissatisfaction.

According to the magistrate, they were arrested shortly after the incident. Both are members of local groups linked to "the martial arts, the Middle Ages and the manga universe". Their custody for "violence without incapacity on a person holding public authority," has been extended.

Arthur C. will be summoned to court at the end of 2022 to respond to the offenses related to illegally held weapons found at his home.