Ten people have been found guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, by a Paris court.
The defendants were accused of spreading false claims about her gender and sexuality, as well as making malicious remarks about the 24-year age gap between the couple.
Most of the defendants were handed suspended prison sentences of up to eight months, but one was jailed immediately for failing to attend court.
The judge stated that the eight men and two women acted with a clear desire to harm Brigitte Macron, making online remarks that were degrading and insulting.
Two of the defendants, independent journalist Natacha Rey and internet fortune-teller Amandine Roy, had previously been convicted of slander for claims that France's first lady did not exist, alleging the name change of her brother.
This recent ruling is a precursor to a significant defamation trial in the US where the Macrons are suing right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has stated beliefs that Mrs. Macron is a transgender woman.
The Macrons argue that Owens disregarded credible evidence disproving her claims, and Owens has continued to promote these conspiracy theories on her platforms.
A conspiracy theory suggesting that Brigitte Macron is transgender has circulated since the 2017 election. The couple married in 2007 when Emmanuel Macron was 29 and Brigitte in her mid-50s.
