Nine Internet users were sentenced on Thursday, October 31 in Paris to penalties ranging from a fine of 500 euros to four months in prison, for having distributed hate messages and the names and addresses of suspects after the death of young Thomas in Crépol, in Drôme. in November 2023.
They were tried in two separate hearings in September, for the 17my criminal courtroom, or by ineffective provocation to commit a crime, public insult due to its origin, disclosure of personal data or even death threats.
Most were fined: fines of 10 euros per 100 days (i.e. a fine of 10 euros per day for 100 days), 800 euros or 1,500 euros. The criminal court considered that one of them had impaired judgment and was sentenced to a fine of 500 euros. Several of them must also pay a few hundred euros in moral damages to the civil parties.
His messages had been posted on Facebook by ten young people from outside the town.
“Speech criminals”
Marylène P., a 53-year-old housewife who republished the address list, which she admitted to the bar “a great stupidity” and apologized, he was released.
“Real white heads, to vaccinate directly with a gun”wrote Lionel G., a 55-year-old truck driver, posting photos and names of the suspects. “The names of the murderers that the police tried to hide from them are already known”wrote Gaël L., 56, transmitting a list of addresses of the young people involved. “Always the same profiles, Swedes from a good family”joked in turn with racist implications Jean-Marie L., 40 years old, director of a small business.
During the trial of five of them on September 4, several appeared to have difficulty understanding what they were doing there and their explanations remained confusing. The court reminded them that the suspects’ families had received threatening calls and letters at their homes.
The prosecutor had requested sentences ranging from four months of preventive detention to two months of suspension of the sentence, as well as citizenship courses at his expense for these “speech offenders”to the other “end of the chain” of the investigation – still ongoing – into Thomas’ death.
