British fashion designer John Galliano’s trial opens in Paris

Spicezee Bureau

Paris: Renowned fashion designer John Galliano, who has been accused of anti-Semitic rants against customers in a café, has gone on trial in Paris. The trial focuses on two incidents that took place in October 2010 and February this year. Incidentally, a video of a third incident cost Mr Galliano his job at Dior. If convicted, Mr Galliano could face six months imprisonment and a fine of 22,500 euros (£20,000). Galliano is expected to talk about that he lost control due to substance abuse. Earlier, Galliano apologised for his behaviour and sought treatment for his addictions. The 50-year-old Brit designer was arrested in March after a couple accused him of making anti-Semitic comments. Geraldine Bloch, a museum curator, is suing the designer for his anti-Semitic abuses that lasted 45 minutes. Another woman has made similar complaints about an incident that took place in October. Galliano is charged with "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity". He was sacked by Dior after the footage a third incident emerged, in which he was shown proclaiming "I love Hitler" to two women in a café and saying that they should have been gassed. All incidents allegedly took place at La Perle cafe in the Marais district of Paris.