Background
In February 2008 President Sarkozy said the words “Casse toi pov’con” (“Get lost, you sad prick”) to a farmer who had refused to shake his hand. The phrase circulated widely on the internet and became a slogan in demonstrations.
In August 2008 Hervé Eon waved a placard at Sarkozy, bearing the words “Casse toi pov’con”. Hervé was convicted of insulting the President of France and given a suspended fine.