Man gets six months in prison after pharmacy looting in Stains

A Bobigny court sentenced a man to six months in prison for handling stolen goods after a pharmacy was looted.

The case concerns a pharmacy in Stains, near Paris, during the night of October 17 to 18, amid demonstrations and unrest.

Politicians and social media users described the case as punishment for picking up a tin of infant formula.

Prosecutors say he stole cartons and was caught as he left, then discarded the formula because he did not want it.

They say he did not know what the cartons contained, while the court convicted him of handling stolen goods.

The prosecutor had sought 14 months in prison, but the court imposed six months and ordered his immediate detention.

The case has prompted criticism that the justice system treats people unequally, while prosecutors say the public account of the incident was distorted.