British fashion designer faces up to six months in prison following if found guilty of alleged anti-semitic tirade in Paris bar
The British designer John Galliano will go on criminal trial in Paris on 22 June for racial and anti-semitic insults after a drunken rant at a Paris bar cost him his job at the fashion house Dior.
He could face up to six months in prison and €22,500 (£19,700) in fines, if convicted of "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity".
Several French anti-racist associations have lodged civil complaints against the flamboyant star-couturier as well as the people who claim he insulted them.
Two cases will be judged at the same time and Galliano will appear in court.
The first case dates back to February when Galliano was arrested in the Marais district after allegedly shouting anti-Jewish and racist insults at a couple. Police said he had drunk the equivalent of two bottles of wine. He denied the claims and counter-sued the couple for defamation. He later apologised "unreservedly" for shocking people and said he was "seeking help".
The second case relates to a second woman who came forward days later claiming Galliano had similarlyinsulted her in the same bar in OctoberHe allegedly mocked her appearance before making racist insults in English. At the time of the incidents a video was posted online appearing to show Galliano on another occasion telling two women "I love Hitler. People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be fucking gassed."
Galliano, who was axed as artistic director of Dior just before French fashion week, is also fighting his former lawyer. In April, he filed a law-suit accusing Stephane Zerbib of embezzlement and siphoning money from his account. Zerbib responded by suing Galliano for slander and defamation, saying the designer was aware of all financial transactions.