On April 5, 2023, the artist Bilal Hassani should have given a concert at the Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains church, in Metz. Although the place had been desecrated for 500 years and had become a performance hall, small far-right and ultra-Catholic groups were offended. Under their pressure, the show was canceled
An investigation, notably for incitement to hatred due to the artist's sexual orientation, led to the identification of five people.
These five people were to appear this Wednesday afternoon, November 13, at the new Paris courthouse, in the 17th arrondissement. But, among them, only two were present at the hearing. Bilal Hassani himself did not make the trip.
20 h 05. This live is now over. We thank you for following it.
20 h. Sentences of four months suspended to six months were requested against three of the defendants. The public prosecutor decided in favor of a fine of €1,500 each against the other two.
The decision was reserved until January 15, 2025.
18 h 20. “He can’t let this go”
The lawyers for the civil parties took the stand one after the other. Me Clara Steg insisted on the impact that this episode had on the existence of Bilal Hassani, extremely shocked by the “violent, hateful and deadly” remarks made against him. “He who advocates self-acceptance, diversity, and who officially identifies as homosexual, is regularly contacted by young people from the LGBT community whose difficulties we know about. As a figurehead, he can't let this go. »
Me Xavier Iochum, who represents the EPCC Metz en Scènes, considers that “harm has been caused to him in his public service activity”. “It is an affront to Bilal Hassani, to his public and to the City of Metz. »
For Me Grace Favrel, counsel for the Human Rights League, “most of the defendants are not practicing Catholics, they do not even know where this church is located [Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains, NDLR]it is only a pretext to spread their hatred of LGBT people.”
“In France, our freedom of expression is enormous, but insults and incitement to hatred are not part of it,” declared Me Caroline Mecary, the lawyer for six associations fighting against homophobia, including Gay Colors, in Metz. The council wants the sum of €5,000 in damages for moral harm to be paid to each of the associations by each of the defendants.
5 p.m. “We were supposed to go to the concert, but we were prevented from doing so by people who consider us degenerates”
The defendants present have been heard, it is now the turn of the civil parties to be heard.
Bilal Hassani's lawyer asked that the artist's mother, present at the hearing, take the floor. The court did not see the point.
It is the turn of Jean-Paul Lelandais, administrator and treasurer of the Metz association Couleurs Gaies, to speak. He recalls the association's commitment to deconstructing stereotypes. “We were supposed to go to the concert, but we were prevented from doing so by people who consider us degenerates. We have the right to live peacefully, to go to a concert peacefully and to attend the concert of an artist who has an artistic proposal that speaks to us, as is the case with Bilal Hassani. »
He also recalled that one of the defendants, a former member of Gud de Nancy, and far-right activist, candidate for the 5th constituency of Meurthe-et-Moselle in the last legislative elections, had been the subject of a conviction. for inciting homophobic hatred in 2017 after a complaint from Couleurs Gaies.
15 h 40. The hearing continues with the hearing of the two defendants present
After reading the facts concerning the three absent defendants, the court examines the files of the two defendants present.
The first is a 23-year-old resident of Tourcoing, alleged author of homophobic and violent comments on a forum.
This apprentice butcher-charcutier is being prosecuted for his comments made on the Onch forum. He notably called Bilal Hassani a “degenerate”.
At the bar, where he chose not to be assisted by a lawyer, he seems not to appreciate the seriousness of the facts for which he is being prosecuted and claims his adherence to far-right theories.
His position regarding the homophobic nature of his comments is quite confused. “I don't care if he's gay, what I have a problem with is his outfits. » He says he is disturbed by “people who show their bodies” in general, and believes that “Catholics have become lax”.
While saying that he “wrote out of anger”, and “sincerely regrets” it, he nevertheless believes: “I think that there is justice and that Bilal Hassani also deserves to be condemned, in particular for holding naked on the public highway.
In addition to his homophobic remarks, the defendant called for “burning people”.
2:45 p.m. The trial begins with the interrogation of the first defendant
Before questioning the defendants, the president of the court reads the introductory report.
14 h 35. As a reminder, the five defendants must answer for provocation of hatred or violence because of sexual orientation or gender identity; public insult based on sexual orientation or gender identity; public and direct provocation without effect to commit a crime or misdemeanor.
2:30 p.m. The Human Rights League as civil party
The Human Rights League, represented by Me Favrel, is also a civil party.
2:25 p.m. Two defendants present, three absent
The hearing begins. Only two defendants are there. They have not hired a lawyer and will defend themselves.
The other three are absent, two of whom are represented by a lawyer. One justifies his absence for health reasons.
The far-right Murthe-et-Moselle politician (Nupes, one of the three absent) sent “a final declaration” to the court presenting his defense elements.
Bilal Hassani, who is absent at this trial, is defended by Me Clara Steg. The artist's press officer is in the room.
Bilal Hassani in concert at Nec de Marly, near Metz, in 2019. Photo Archives Gilles Wirtz
14 h. Bilal Hassani will not attend the trial
According to initial information collected by Le Républicain Lorrain present on site, the artist Bilal Hassani will not participate in the hearing.
On the civil side, Frédéric Bauer, the president of Couleurs Gaies, Jean-Paul Lelandais, the treasurer of the Metz association and the communications officer are present. They are now represented by Me Caroline Mecary.
Me Xavier Iochum, who represents the EPCC Metz en Scènes, also a civil party, is in the room.
