A concert by singer Bilal Hassani planned in a former church in Metz in 2023 sparked a wave of hatred, particularly on social networks, pushing the singer to cancel his concert. Five men were tried on Wednesday in Paris for provoking hatred and insults
Up to six months in prison and fines were requested against them. Two of the defendants, who were on trial for aggravated public provocation, the public prosecutor requested four and six months in prison. Two other defendants are being prosecuted for public insult based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Against them, the prosecution requested fines of 1,500 euros. Another defendant, who was appearing for public and direct provocation without effect to commit attacks on the life or integrity of a person because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the public prosecutor requested a three-month suspended prison sentence with a citizenship training period. Only two of the five defendants were present at the hearing.
As a reminder, on Yet another had called the artist a “Moroccan tranny” and said he imagined him “getting stoned”. In a video posted on YouTube, another defendant called for “violent behavior”, according to the prosecution. Opposed to this concert, the Lorraine Catholique collective shouted “desecration”, in the middle of Holy Week, in a message on its blog. Supported by Civitas, he called for a prayer of reparation before the concert, in front of the old church.
Faced with these threats, Live Nation, producer of Bilal Hassani's tour, decided to cancel the show scheduled for April 5, 2023. On April 28, the singer filed a complaint with the Metz prosecutor. Six associations have formed civil parties, including Stop Homophobia and Mousse as well as the Public Establishment for Cultural Cooperation Metz en Scènes, to which the old church, now a performance hall, depends.
The decision is expected on January 15.
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