FRANCE: French far-right politician Bruno Megret, a former lieutenant of National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, has been convicted of embezzling public money to fund an election campaign.
Megret, who heads the National Republican Movement (MNR) and who plans to run in next spring's presidential elections, was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence, fined €8,000 and banned from running for office for a year.
Megret said he would appeal, a move that would suspend the enforcement of the sentence.
His wife Catherine was also convicted by the Marseille court on the same charge of using public money to fund his candidacy in the 2002 presidential poll.
Four former officials from the southern town of Vitrolles, where Ms Megret was mayor, were given lighter sentences. A fifth person was acquitted of the charges.
During her time as mayor, Vitrolles spent €75,000 in 2000 and 2001 on postage for four letters to local mayors aimed at securing 500 signatures necessary to run for president.
Megret left the National Front in 1999 after falling out with its leader Mr Le Pen.
He set up his own party and won 2.3 per cent of votes in 2002.