Bardot stands trial on race-slur charges

Legendary French actress Brigitte Bardot went on trial on Tuesday to face a charge of inciting racial hatred after making controversial comments concerning the religion of Islam.

The 73-year-old former screen siren faces a possible two-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of €15,000 if she is found guilty.

The 'Contempt' star, who quit the film industry in the 1970s to pursue a career as an animal rights activist, has faced similar charges of inciting racial hate on four prior occasions.

The latest charges came about after the star publicly published a letter she sent to French president Nicolas Sarkozy last year lambasting the Muslim religious festival of Eid al-Adha - due to its traditions of slaughtering a sheep.

In the letter she says: "I am fed up with being under the thumb of this population which is destroying us, destroying our country and imposing its acts."

The first racial hatred charge the star faced was in 1997, where she was fined €1,500 for her comments, and most recently she was ordered to pay €5,000 for making similar controversial comments.

Prosecutor Anne de Fonette told the court she was seeking a tougher sentence than on previous occasions, stating: "I am a little tired of prosecuting Mrs Bardot."

Bardot did not attend the trial stating she was physically unable to. The verdict is expected in several weeks.