Paris court dismisses Sarkozy "voodoo doll" suit

Oct 29, 2008, 15:47 GMT

Paris - A Paris court on Wednesday dismissed a suit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to force a French publisher to stop selling a voodoo doll in his image, French media reported.

In their ruling, the judges found that the Sarkozy voodoo doll did 'not represent an offence to his human dignity or a personal attack.'

Instead, its creation and sale were permitted by the publisher's right to freedom of expression and its 'right to express humour.'

The publisher, K&B Editions, put 20,000 Sarkozy voodoo dolls on sale on October 9.

Each doll comes with a 56-page instruction manual and a dozen pins that can be stuck through well-known quotes of Sarkozy's - such as 'Work more and earn more,' or 'Bugger off, you ass' - printed on the doll.

The manual and doll can also be purchased over the internet. The item has been the top seller for the French site of the online sales outlet Amazon for at least a week.

K&B has also put out a voodoo doll of Sarkozy's Socialist Party opponent in the 2007 presidential election, Segolene Royal. However, Royal said that she had a sense of humour and would not sue.

The two dolls can be purchased together as a kit, or individually for 12.95 euros (16.50 dollars) each.