A French anti-terrorism court has convicted eight people in connection with the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty outside his school four years ago. Paty, 47, was killed on October 16, 2020, after showing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad to his class during a debate on free expression.
The assailant, an 18-year-old Russian of Chechen origin, was shot to death by police. Eight defendants were put on trial for terrorism charges, accused of providing assistance to the perpetrator and organizing hate campaigns online before the murder.
The court delivered its verdict in a packed courtroom, with families of the accused reacting strongly to the sentences. Prosecutors requested sentences ranging from 18 months suspended imprisonment to 16 years in prison, while the public prosecutor asked for reduced charges against four defendants.
The attack occurred amid protests in Muslim countries and calls online for violence targeting France and satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The trial highlighted the French state’s commitment to freedom of expression and secularism in public life.
One defendant, Brahim Chnina, is accused of association with a terrorist enterprise for spreading false information about Paty. His daughter was previously tried in a juvenile court and given an 18-month suspended sentence. Four other students at Paty’s school were found guilty of involvement and received suspended sentences.
The verdict has left Paty’s family feeling disappointed and frustrated, with one lawyer describing the defendants’ lack of accountability as “shocking.” The case is the final chapter in the Paty trial, which marked a significant moment for France’s stance on free expression and terrorism.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/20/eight-convicted-over-beheading-of-teacher-samuel-paty-in-paris