Excerpt:
Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Front (FN), was acquitted Tuesday of inciting hatred after likening Muslim street prayers to the Nazi occupation.
Magistrates in the southeast city of Lyon found the 47-year-old not guilty of "inciting discrimination, violence or hatred toward a group of people based on their religious beliefs" over her comments on the campaign trail in December 2010.
Le Pen, who was not in court, faced one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros ($49,000) if convicted.