FRANCE violated the freedom of expression of pro-Palestinian activists who were convicted for campaigning for a boycott of Israeli goods, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled today.

In a ruling hailed as a major victory by the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, the court ordered the French government to pay €101,000 euros (£90,602) in damages to a group of 11 activists.

The protesters, led by French activist Jean-Michel Baldassi, were convicted of incitement to economic discrimination after taking part in a 2009 demonstration at a hypermarket in the eastern French town of Illzach, where they handed out leaflets calling for a boycott of Israeli products.