Far right leader on trial over Muslim prayer comments

PARIS — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is standing trial over comments she made five years ago comparing Muslim street prayers to a foreign occupation.

Le Pen, whose National Front party is known for its anti-immigration and anti-Islam views, arrived Tuesday in court to be judged on charges of inciting racial hatred in Lyon, where she’ll face four antiracism and human rights organizations.

“I have the right, as a political leader, to evoke a crucial issue and it’s even a duty for me to do it,” Marine Le Pen told reporters.

Despite the potential jail term, political experts say she could emerge from the trial even stronger among many National Front voters.

In France, “occupation” is the generic term used to refer to the period of administration by the Nazis of French territory.

Marine Le Pen scores high in all popularity polls before regional elections in December.