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Court overturns ban on French comic Dieudonne Court overturns ban on French comic Dieudonne
(35 minutes later)
A French court has overturned a ban on a show by controversial comic Dieudonne M'bala M'bala due to be performed on Thursday night.A French court has overturned a ban on a show by controversial comic Dieudonne M'bala M'bala due to be performed on Thursday night.
The show in the city of Nantes will open Dieudonne's tour.The show in the city of Nantes will open Dieudonne's tour.
He has seven convictions for anti-Semitic hate speech and his latest show is also said to contain a string of derogatory references to Jews.He has seven convictions for anti-Semitic hate speech and his latest show is also said to contain a string of derogatory references to Jews.
President Francois Hollande had urged French officials to enforce an order authorising the ban on the show. Interior Minister Manuel Valls has said he will appeal to the Council of State, France's highest administrative court.
The court's decision "has not exhausted legal options" in the case, Mr Valls said. The Council of State is reportedly due to give a decision at 17:00 on Thursday (16:00 GMT), with the possibility that the show may yet be prevented from going ahead.
A statement from the court said it did not regard the show, entitled The Wall, as having "an attack on human dignity as its main object", the AFP agency reports.A statement from the court said it did not regard the show, entitled The Wall, as having "an attack on human dignity as its main object", the AFP agency reports.
In a reflection of the comedian's popularity in spite of his notoriety, 5,000 tickets had already reportedly been sold for the Nantes performance.In a reflection of the comedian's popularity in spite of his notoriety, 5,000 tickets had already reportedly been sold for the Nantes performance.
Thursday's court verdict is a big victory for Dieudonne, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports from Paris.Thursday's court verdict is a big victory for Dieudonne, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports from Paris.
On his Facebook page, the comic posted simply: "We have won!"
Controversial gesture
The French government has made a concerted effort to stop the comedian's new tour after Dieudonne was recorded making blatantly anti-Semitic remarks about a Jewish journalist.The French government has made a concerted effort to stop the comedian's new tour after Dieudonne was recorded making blatantly anti-Semitic remarks about a Jewish journalist.
Dieudonne's lawyer said banning the show would be a clear breach of the principle of free expression, and that contrary to government claims, there was no evidence that his performances were a threat to public order.Dieudonne's lawyer said banning the show would be a clear breach of the principle of free expression, and that contrary to government claims, there was no evidence that his performances were a threat to public order.
Controversial gesture President Francois Hollande had earlier urged French officials to enforce an order authorising the ban on the show.
On Monday, Interior Minister Manuel Valls said he had advised city mayors and police prefects that Dieudonne's show could be banned if it was deemed to present a threat to public order. On Monday, Mr Valls said he had advised city mayors and police prefects that Dieudonne's show could be banned if it was deemed to present a threat to public order.
He remains booked to play at a series of French venues until June, although the cities of Bordeaux and Marseille have cancelled his performances. Dieudonne remains booked to play at a series of French venues until June, although the cities of Bordeaux and Marseille have cancelled his performances.
The comic has quipped about gas chambers and is accused of deriding Holocaust survivors and victims.The comic has quipped about gas chambers and is accused of deriding Holocaust survivors and victims.
But he denies his trademark "quenelle" gesture is an inverted Nazi salute, instead describing it as an anti-establishment sign.But he denies his trademark "quenelle" gesture is an inverted Nazi salute, instead describing it as an anti-establishment sign.
It made headlines in the UK in late December when used by West Bromwich Albion footballer Nicolas Anelka during a goal celebration.It made headlines in the UK in late December when used by West Bromwich Albion footballer Nicolas Anelka during a goal celebration.
The striker said the gesture had been "a dedication to Dieudonne", not an anti-Semitic salute.The striker said the gesture had been "a dedication to Dieudonne", not an anti-Semitic salute.