Man who slapped Macron sentenced to 4 months in prison

The man who slapped French President Emmanuel Macron in the face on Tuesday has been sentenced to 4 months in prison.

Damien Tarel, 28, was charged with assault against a public official after slapping Macron during an appearance in southeast France.

French President Macron Slapped While Visiting Southern France https://t.co/DnXa8C8AaZ pic.twitter.com/QlpVz3TSAw

— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) June 8, 2021

A French court on Thursday found Tarel guilty and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, 14 of which were ultimately suspended, according to BFM TV.

Tarel, who described himself as a medieval martial arts enthusiast and right-wing sympathizer during his court appearance, said he slapped Macron because he felt the president represented the country’s decay.

He said he was close to the anti-government “yellow vest” economic protest movement, which rocked the Macron presidency in 2018 and 2018.

“I think that Macron represents very neatly the decay of our country,” Tarel told the court, according to BFM TV. “If I had challenged Macron to a duel at sunrise, I doubt he would have responded.”

A second man was also arrested on Tuesday following the incident.

Tarel said he originally planned to throw a cream tart or an egg at Macron during the president’s visit to the southeastern Drome region, but ultimately decided not to.

He contended that the slap was not premeditated, Reuters reported.

Macron, according to the wire service, said the attack was an isolated incident, and added that violence and hate were a threat to democracy.

Tarel’s charge of assault against a police officer reportedly carried a maximum sentence of 3 years in jail and a 45,000 euro fine.

The Hill has reached out to Macron’s office for comment.