LYON: France’s far-right National Front party leader Marine Le Pen said the government was using the judiciary to persecute her as she went on trial on Tuesday for comparing Muslim street prayers to Nazi occupation.

Le Pen, who polls say is likely to win a regional election in December, has tried to broaden the party’s appeal since she took over in 2011 from her father and party founder Jean-Marie.

He was convicted several times of inciting racial hatred and his daughter has made efforts to distance herself from him.

But in a meeting in 2010, Le Pen — whose party thrives on concerns over immigration and radicalism — criticized Muslims praying in the streets when mosques are full.