The trial has opened in Paris of a French neo-nazi accused of trying to assisinate the French President, Jacques Chirac, during a Bastille Day parade on the Champs Elysees two years ago. Maxime Brunerie, 27, is charged with attempted murder and faces a life sentence if found guilty. Bystanders at the parade reportedly prevented Brunerie from firing at Chirac and also from later shooting himself. He had many right-wing links and the police had kept a file on him since he was 18, but officials have stressed that he was acting independently of any political group.
On the day before the parade, Brunerie posted a message on the website of the British far right group Combat 18, advising members to "watch television on Sunday, I will be the star . . . Death to zog, 88!" 'Zog' stands for Zionist occupied government, reflecting the movement's anti-semitism, and the number 88 refers to HH, or Heil Hitler.