In 2018 a judge charged her, as well as her National Rally party colleague Gilbert Collard who also tweeted the pictures, with circulating “violent messages that incite terrorism or pornography or seriously harm human dignity” and that can be viewed by a minor.
The crime is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of $90,000 (75,000 euros), but the prosecution sought only a $6,000 (5,000 euro) fine.
The court acquitted both Le Pen and Collard on Tuesday, citing the right to freedom of expression.
The court recognized Le Pen’s intention to inform by sharing the images and said doing so can contribute to public debate, as long as violence is not normalized.
Marine Le Pen: French far-right leader cleared of hate speech
Published
image copyrightReuters
image captionMarine Le Pen s immunity was lifted by the European Parliament before the prosecution could take place
A French court has acquitted far-right leader Marine Le Pen and a party colleague of breaking hate speech laws by posting three images of Islamic State atrocities on Twitter.
The court in Nanterre in Paris found that while the pictures were violent they fell under political protest and the right to freedom of speech.
Ms Le Pen had originally condemned the trial as politically motivated.
She is seen as President Emmanuel Macron s main rival for the presidency.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen acquitted over Islamic State tweets modernghana.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from modernghana.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.