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Frenchman who shot at ex-President Chirac released
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-22 20:47

Frenchman who shot at ex-President Chirac released
In this July 14, 2002 file photo, Maxime Brunerie is pressed to the ground by security forces during a military parade on Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. [Agencies]

PARIS: A judicial official says a French far-right activist has been released from prison seven years after attempting to assassinate then-President Jacques Chirac in a Bastille Day attack.

Maxime Brunerie was convicted of attempted murder after he pulled a rifle from a guitar case and shot at Chirac on July 14, 2002. The attack took place during a military parade on Paris' famed Champs-Elysees avenue. Brunerie was subdued by onlookers and Chirac was unhurt.

The official said Saturday that Brunerie, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison, was released earlier this month but remains under judicial supervision. The official spoke on condition of anonymity according to judicial policy.