PARIS: Former Dior designer John Galliano goes on trial Wednesday, charged with hurling anti-Semitic slurs in a Paris cafe — allegations that shocked the fashion world and cost him his job at the renowned French high-fashion house. Galliano is charged with “public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity” and could face up to six months in prison and €22,500 ($32,175) in fines. The verdict is expected at a later date. The outspoken British designer will be present at the one-day trial, his lawyer Aurelien Hamelle said. A couple contended that Galliano made anti-Semitic comments to them in the cafe in February. Galliano was taken in by police for questioning, and an alcohol test showed he was drunk at the time. Another woman then came forward with similar claims about an incident in the same cafe last October. Both accusations are being addressed at Wednesday's trial. Days after the February bar incident, a video was broadcast on the website of the British tabloid The Sun showing an inebriated Galliano insulting a fellow cafe client, slurring “I love Hitler.” Hamelle told The Associated Press this week that the designer's comments were “misplaced and hurtful,” but attributed them to Galliano's addition to alcohol and prescription drugs. Galliano issued a statement at the time saying: “Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologize for my behavior in causing any offense.” He also said he was “seeking help” for personal failures, spending two months in rehab in the US, Hamelle said. The lawyer said he will call witnesses who were in the cafe for both incidents, but did not hear any insults by Galliano. An eventual conviction could depend on whether the court determines that the insults were made publicly or not. The February cafe incident and the video reverberated throughout the fashion world, and came down on the eve of Paris Fashion Week. Dior fired Galliano after 14 years with the company and denounced his comments.
