Marseille riot trials end in leniency as defendants walk free

France's fast-track trials for rioters in Marseille ended with lenient outcomes, as defendants laughed and supporters cheered in court despite prosecutors demanding harsh sentences. The proceedings followed weekend unrest that saw around 100 arrests in the city and 2,400 nationwide. Prosecutor Nicolas Bessone sought one-year prison terms and bans from France for alleged looters, including a man caught with 38 items from a Monoprix supermarket and three others accused of participating in chaos. Defense lawyers argued their clients were innocent bystanders, with one claiming he was filming TikTok videos and another saying he was buying cigarettes. The court largely sided with the defense, handing a six-month suspended sentence to the Monoprix suspect, acquitting the TikToker and his companions, and releasing three accused of transporting stolen electronics until December. Critics noted the trials failed to deter, with more unrest expected the following Saturday.