Marseille court's lenient verdicts on riot looters spark courtroom cheers

A French court in Marseille acquitted or gave lenient sentences to suspected riot looters, prompting laughter and cheers, despite prosecutors demanding harsh penalties like one-year prison terms and bans from France. The fast-track trials involved seven defendants of North African origin accused of looting luxury stores during weekend riots. The prosecutor called the acts "bestial looting," but the judge largely followed defense arguments, giving one man six months probation and acquitting three others. The lenient outcomes came amid 2,400 arrests nationwide and about 100 in Marseille. One defendant claimed he was filming TikTok videos, while another said he found goods on the street. Further riots were expected the following Saturday.