© AFP
Amid a crackdown on hate speech and "condoning terrorism" online, a French court has handed out a two-month suspended prison sentence to prominent comedian and political activist Dieudonne over a Facebook post in the wake of Charle Hebdo attack.
The 49-year-old Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, or simply Dieudonne has been convicted for being "an apologist for terrorism" over a Facebook post he made following attacks in France that killed 17 people."
I feel like Charlie Coulibaly," he wrote in a coined phrase on Facebook on January 11, four days after the Charlie Hebdo attack, allegedly making a mockery of the slogan "
Je suis Charlie" (I am Charlie) a global rallying cry against extremism. The second part of the phrase mimicked the name of Amedy Coulibaly, the gunman who killed four people at a Paris kosher supermarket.
Prosecutor Annabelle Philippe argued that Dieudonne is guilty of presenting "
in a favourable light the acts committed by Amedy Coulibaly."
"
The feeling of hostility towards the Jewish community that Dieudonne kept up in front of a public attracted by his charisma increases his responsibility," the court argued. The prosecution was seeking a harsher sentence of up to 7 years in prison and a potential 100,000 euro ($106,000) fine.
Dieudonne, who was not present at court during the sentencing on Wednesday, was also
fined €30,000 ($35,000), which, if not paid, will result in a prison term.According to French daily,
20minutes, Dieudonne argued in court on January 28 and February 4 that he has condemned the
Charlie Hebdo attacks "
without restraint and without any ambiguity." Dieudonne also claimed at the hearing that he wished to participate in the march in Paris against the extremism,
but the Interior Ministry had requested that he be "excluded" and treated as a "terrorist."The comic's case was the most prominent case of several dozen investigated in France in connection to hate speech and allegations of "condoning terrorism."
The comedian is known for his extreme right views and has been credited with inventing a Nazi-like hand salute called the "quenelle." He had previously been found guilty seven times for slander or anti-Semitic statements. A Paris court has also recently banned the sale of a DVD featuring Dieudonne on the grounds that it is anti-Semitic, condones the Holocaust and "collaboration with the enemy".
Amid fierce debates in France over whether the authorities are guilty of double standards on freedom of speech, France blocked five websites suspected of condoning terrorism and spreading hate speech earlier in March.
It marked the first usage of new anti-terrorism powers approved by parliament last year that allow such bans without court orders.France is still on high alert under
Operation Sentinel which mobilized over 10,000 troops on French soil to protect 682 sensitive sites across the country including religious sites, railway stations, airports, and tourist attractions in the wake of a rise in religious tensions following the
Charlie Hebdo attacks in January.
It's worth noting that the French police prosecutors were demanding a full seven-year gaol term once a guilty verdict was found, and a much, much larger fine, as noted in the article.
Instead the French court gave Dieudonne what is essentially a slap on the wrist, giving him a suspended three-month sentence, provided the fine is paid (and I have little doubt he will have plenty of financial support to help him pay that fine, if needed).
It is fortunate that the French judiciary have applied a minimal punishment, opposing the hysterical and politically-motivated demands of the powers-that-be. I think that's a hopeful result.
There is currently a large argument in France about the definition of free speech, given that Charlie Hebdo has been allowed to incite Moslem outrage by their scatological and abusive cartoons of the prophet Mohommed (pbuh), and yet had they done the same for Netanyahnyah they would have been instantly subject to the full force of 'law'.
Please note I am not personally religious, quite the opposite, the previous paragraph only represents a properly diplomatic attitude towards those who do have ingrained religious concepts.
Western governments (like religions) seem to think they can control and define memes for their own benefit and those of their benefactors. That is stupid and irrational and invites resentment. We are not necessarily controlled by their pet MSM and their holier-than-thou declarations, many of us see through their lies. Attempting to program us and to demand compliance via self-serving parliamentary ordainments, is in no way dissimilar to ISIS-like thoughtlessness. And backed up by increasingly uber-powerful police forces that must wear balaclavas and helmets, have miltary armour and assault weapons and vehicles to inhibit contrariness and 'wrong-thinking'.
Democracy? Do you wonder why I have nothing but disgust and contempt for western democracy? Little more than doubleplusgoodspeak.