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French 'yellow vest' boxer jailed for beating riot police

Former professional boxer Christophe Dettinger, 37, who was filmed on January 5th throwing punches and kicking riot police officers during a 'yellow vest' protest in Paris against falling standards of living, has been sentenced to 30 months in jail, with 18 months suspended, in a court ruling that angered police unions.

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A former French boxing champion has been convicted for assaulting two police officers at an anti-government "yellow vest" protest in Paris, reports BBC News.

Christophe Dettinger, 37, was filmed on January 5th throwing punches in footage that was widely shared on social media.

He was sentenced to 30 months in jail.

Eighteen months of the sentence are suspended, and he will be able to serve the 12 months in what is termed "semi-liberty".

The protests began in mid-November over fuel taxes but broadened into a revolt against President Emmanuel Macron.

Dettinger's case, and the yellow vest movement, have divided France.

The verdict was announced by the Paris Criminal Court on Wednesday. It said that Dettinger would spend one year in prison in the "semi-liberty" regime. That means he will serve night times in jail, but will be at liberty during the day.

He is also banned from visiting in Paris for six months.

Read more of this report from BBC News.