Story highlights Cedric Herrou could face up to five years in prison and a fine if convicted

Herrou is accused of helping illegal migrants cross the border from Italy and sheltering them

(CNN) A French farmer accused of helping illegal migrants cross the border from Italy and giving them shelter is on trial in France, in a case that has highlighted divisions over how migrants are treated in Europe.

Cedric Herrou, an olive and poultry farmer from a village on the border with Italy, risks a maximum five-year prison sentence and a 30,000-euro ($31,500) fine if convicted.

But Herrou was unrepentant as his case was heard Wednesday at a court in Nice, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported.

A crowd of more than 300 people gathered to cheer him on as the farmer and activist left the courthouse, BFMTV said. Some held a banner reading: "Yes to solidarity and welcome migrants and refugees."

Activist farmer Cedric Herrou speaks outside the Nice courthouse on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Herrou said: "It's not up to me to make a distinction between black and white, people with or without papers. It's not my job. Farming is what I do, my job is feeding people and that's what I do."

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