Irishman arrested in south-east France over alleged antisemitic threats in supermarket
How hate speech law works in France
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An Irish man in his 60s has been arrested in France after allegedly making antisemitic remarks and threatening an Australian Jewish couple at a supermarket.
The incident took place at a supermarket in Le Pontet, near Avignon. A video of the confrontation was posted online and circulated widely on the internet.
The footage shows the man threatening a woman, saying: “You get the f**k away from me before I put a f*king bullet in your head.”
At the start of the recording, the woman says: “Paddy the Irishman just told us he’s sorry that Hitler didn’t finish the job.”
The alleged comment about Hitler is not itself captured on the video.
The man responds: “You’re in Europe here.”
The man was arrested on August 26 in Avignon. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the arrest in a post on social media.
He wrote: “Bravo to the gendarmes for their investigation following threats and antisemitic remarks made against tourists in a hypermarket in Le Pontet this summer. A suspect has been arrested and will be held accountable for his actions,” he wrote.
“Antisemitism must be fought firmly and relentlessly,” he added.
Two other French ministers also condemned the incident: Serge Papin responsible for commerce and tourism, and Aurore Bergé, responsible for the fight against discrimination.
In a joint statement, they said the Australian couple “was violently confronted in a supermarket in France by an Irish national” who had made “serious antisemitic remarks before making death threats” against them.
They also described how the video that circulated on social media contained “a level of violence that is both shocking and unacceptable."
What does French law say about hate speech?
In France, publicly inciting hatred, violence or discrimination because of factors such as nationality, religion or ethnicity is a criminal offence.
The maximum penalty is one year in prison and a €45,000 fine, rising to five years and €45,000 when the incitement is intended to encourage certain serious offences.
However, French law treats incitement separately from offences such as insult, defamation and threats.
People can report online content that they believe incites hatred, violence or discrimination to the police or gendarmerie through PHAROS, the French government's online reporting system.
In an emergency, people should contact the police or gendarmerie on 17.
