2009 – The “Sarkozy, je te vois” case

On 27 February 2008, at Saint-Charles station in Marseille, a philosophy teacher shouted “Sarkozy, je te vois” (“Sarkozy, I can see you”) at police officers. He was charged with “insulting daytime disturbance of the peace” and prosecuted. Nicolas Sarkozy, then President, called the prosecution “ridiculous”.

The trial took place on 19 May. A fine of €100 was sought. On 3 July 2009, the local court judge delivered his verdict. The judge ruled that the offence of “insulting daytime disturbance” had not been made out. The words were part of the “normal hubbub” of a railway station at rush hour. “Sarkozy, je te vois” was clumsy, perhaps out of place, but not insulting.

Philippe Vouland, the teacher’s lawyer, welcomed the ruling: “Local court judges are often criticised. This time, the judge showed maturity and good judgement.” Vouland was convinced that Sarkozy had nothing to do with either the prosecution or the deliberations.

Although acquitted, the teacher was concerned about the legal costs. “Faced with the excesses of the administration, must one suffer a costly injustice or a prohibitive justice?” he asked. Thanks to the media coverage, his costs were paid by Charlie Hebdo.

The case highlighted ethical and financial issues. The acquittal of the teacher, defended by Vouland, was a legal victory. It underlined the limits of prosecuting words perceived as insulting in a public setting.

According to Le Monde, it is one of the great cases that have marked French history. As such, it features in “Les Grands Procès – 100 audiences exceptionnelles”, the book published by Le Monde.

Read an article in Le Monde about this case (in French): Link to the article