Dieudonne sentenced

[yankeedoodle]

French comedian sentenced for 'condoning terrorism' in FB post
http://rt.com/news/242045-french-condoning-terrorism-facebook/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=aplication_chrome&utm_campaign=chrome

"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."

Read more
French authorities accused of double standards over hate speech crackdown
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.

[Idaho Kid]

Hope this is true.  Any info on the extent of the debate much appreciated.

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.

[Michael K.]

"Je suis Hajji."

You know, Hajji Headrag: that poor bastard killed by drones, Israeli nutters, or maybe a little too much enhanced interrogation.

Am I going to jail in France now?

[Ognir]

The French people are aware of the double standards, but the chosen are above all in France, even double standards.

[Michael K.]

"Hyper Kosher"

[yankeedoodle]

Anybody know, or want to bet, if Nicolas Bedos is a jew?




French court defends comedian for calling Le Pen 'fascist b*tch'
http://rt.com/news/242665-lepen-court-fascist-comedian/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=aplication_chrome&utm_campaign=chrome

Nicolas Bedos made the remark in a column he wrote for the Marianne magazine in January 2012.
...
Bedos was in his right to call Le Pen 'a fascist b*tch,' the French judges ruled, also acquitting Marianne magazine's editor, Maurice Szafran, for publishing the piece.
...
However, the Bedos acquittal doesn't mean the French judicial system is eager to show the same lighthearted approach to any controversial comments coming from comedians.

On Wednesday, French comedian, Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, was handed a two-month suspended sentence for condoning terrorism on social networks.