The criminal court of Versailles condemned two men on Monday on the basis of the recent anti-gang law, in what proves to be the first decision of its kind. The pair, aged nineteen, were the first to be arrested and charged [Agenda report] for knowingly joining a group of individuals formed with the intention of harming persons and goods, on the basis of the law [text, in French] passed in March 2010 to curb gang violence. Public prosecution had required [Figaro article, in French] a three month suspended prison sentence for both of the suspects, and the court followed this recommendation, adding a 600 euro fine to each sentence. Both suspects denied any intention of participating in the battle, and claimed they were going as spectators. Their lawyer has voiced fears that they are being punished to set the example.

The two men were arrested at the start of April at a station in the suburbs of Paris on the suspicion that they were heading towards the city’s main business district in order to participate in a gang battle. Over forty youths were arrested, and the police had to prevent several buses filled with young men from accessing the area.