"of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing that Muslims are destroying France," and ordered to pay nearly $25,000 in damages and a fine.

In the December 2006 letter to Sarkozy, now the president, Bardot said France is "tired of being led by the nose by this population that is destroying us, destroying our country by imposing its acts."

Bardot, 73, was referring to the Muslim feast of Aid el-Kebir, celebrated by slaughtering sheep. [From another article: In her letter, she argued that Muslims should stun the animals before slaughtering them.]

French anti-racism laws prevent inciting hatred and discrimination on racial or religious or racial grounds. Bardot had been convicted four times previously for inciting racial hatred.

"She is tired of this type of proceedings," he said. "She has the impression that people want to silence her. She will not be silenced in her defense of animal rights."

If someone can point me to an English translation of Bardot's letter (which she had allegedly published as well as sending to Sarkozy) — or, failing that, just to the French original — I'd be much obliged. Thanks to Antonio Haynes for the pointer.