France: Trial opens over bus driver's death in face-mask fight

Two men are facing a court in south-west France accused of beating a bus driver to death after they allegedly refused to wear face-masks.

The defendants, now aged 24 and 25, are accused of "dealing mortal blows" during the incident in the city of Bayonne in July 2020.

Philippe Monguillot, aged 59, died in hospital five days after the assault.

The two accused, Wyssem Manai and Maxime Guyennon, could face a 20-year prison sentence if convicted.

Prosecutors say Mr Monguillot was set upon after asking three men on his bus to show their tickets and adjust face-masks they were wearing over their chin.

The incident occurred after the end of France's first Covid lockdown, when masks were mandatory on all public transport.

In an ensuing confrontation, Mr Monguillot was kicked and punched and his head hit the pavement as he fell.

The city's mayor condemned it as a "barbaric act".

Mr Monguillot's death caused shock across France and thousands of people took part in a protest march led by his widow in Bayonne.

The trial opened on Friday at a court in Pau, 112km (70 miles) east of Bayonne.