Amiens rioters receive suspended sentences

AFP - Two men involved in a riot in the French city of Amiens this week were given suspended prison sentences following a fast-track trial on Friday.

The two men, aged 20 and 25, were convicted of having set fire to a number of waste bins during unrest on Monday evening that caused six million euros worth of damage to public buildings.

They were given eight and 10-month suspended sentences, significantly lighter than the one-year prison terms with only six months suspended that prosecutors had requested.

The case of a third man, who faces more serious charges of having incited others to riot, was postponed until September 12.

Police have made only five arrests so far in connection with the rioting that involved more than 100 local youths.