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Air France workers on trial in shirt-ripping case Air France workers on trial in shirt-ripping case
(about 9 hours later)
Fifteen Air France current and ex-employees have gone on trial almost a year after two company executives had their shirts torn off as a meeting on job cuts descended into chaos. Fifteen Air France current and former employees have gone on trial almost a year after two company executives had their shirts torn off as a meeting on job cuts descended into chaos.
A hundred protesters broke down a fence and invaded a boardroom, forcing the executives to flee.A hundred protesters broke down a fence and invaded a boardroom, forcing the executives to flee.
Five of the 15 have gone on trial near Paris accused of organised violence and the rest of damaging property.Five of the 15 have gone on trial near Paris accused of organised violence and the rest of damaging property.
Protesters outside the court at Bobigny called for the charges to be dismissed.Protesters outside the court at Bobigny called for the charges to be dismissed.
The trial began amid raucous scenes inside the packed court room.
A video clip was played in which a worker can be heard threatening the airline's human resources boss Xavier Broseta: "You've got millions, you're going to pay."
Union activists at the trial cheered as defence lawyer Lilia Mhissen argued against six opposing lawyers representing Air France.
The judge, banging his gavel, warned vociferous supporters of the defendants: "No demonstrations, no protests or I will have the court cleared. This is not a show!"
He was likewise equally strict with prosecution lawyers, ordering them "not to bicker".
Much of the court's time on Tuesday was spent deliberating as to whether union activists were entitled to force their way through the gate of the perimeter fence at the company's headquarters near Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport.
The defence maintained that the gate was normally open, and that securing it on the day of the incident was a "provocation".
How the violence eruptedHow the violence erupted
The 5 October meeting at Air France headquarters in Roissy took place amid a febrile atmosphere over Air France-KLM's plans to restructure a business struggling against stiff competition.The 5 October meeting at Air France headquarters in Roissy took place amid a febrile atmosphere over Air France-KLM's plans to restructure a business struggling against stiff competition.
Almost 3,000 jobs were being cut and pilots' working hours extended in the company, which is 17.6% owned by the French state. The restructuring plan was later shelved.Almost 3,000 jobs were being cut and pilots' working hours extended in the company, which is 17.6% owned by the French state. The restructuring plan was later shelved.
Around 100 demonstrators broke into the meeting less an hour after it began, Around 100 demonstrators broke into the meeting less than an hour after it began.
Xavier Broseta, then human resources vice-president, had his shirt torn off and was filmed fleeing over a fence with demonstrators in pursuit. Another manager, Pierre Plissonnier, endured similar humiliation. Xavier Broseta had his shirt torn off and was filmed fleeing over a fence with demonstrators in pursuit. Another manager, Pierre Plissonnier, endured similar humiliation.
'Political trial''Political trial'
Weeks before Tuesday's trial began, a government minister intervened personally to fire a union member who had been filmed pushing strikers towards the executives.Weeks before Tuesday's trial began, a government minister intervened personally to fire a union member who had been filmed pushing strikers towards the executives.
Vincent Martinez, who is among the 15 defendants on trial, said his sacking had been a political decision and he questioned whether he and his fellow defendants would be judged as citizens or thugs. Amid all the media and political hype, he argued that it was above all a political trial.Vincent Martinez, who is among the 15 defendants on trial, said his sacking had been a political decision and he questioned whether he and his fellow defendants would be judged as citizens or thugs. Amid all the media and political hype, he argued that it was above all a political trial.
As the trial began, members of the left-wing CGT union demonstrated outside court, accusing the airline and government of pursuing employees relentlessly. Prime Minister Manuel Valls was singled out for saying those responsible should be made examples of. Members of the left-wing CGT union demonstrating outside the court accuse the airline and government of pursuing employees relentlessly.
A lawyer acting for the airline said that while union freedoms were vital, "nothing excuses violence towards innocent people".A lawyer acting for the airline said that while union freedoms were vital, "nothing excuses violence towards innocent people".
The court rejected calls for the trial to be postponed and split into two, involving those accused of violence and those charged with causing damage.
If convicted, the five defendants accused of violence could face jail terms of up to three years.If convicted, the five defendants accused of violence could face jail terms of up to three years.