Far-Right Pundit Eric Zemmour Faces Trial for Alleged Hate Speech, Prosecutors Seek Fine

Tried on July 1 for "public insults" and "incitement to racial hatred", the commentator Eric Zemmour was represented by his lawyer. In his requisition, the prosecution requested a fine of 10,000 euros, with the possibility of imprisonment in case of non-payment, against Eric Zemmour.

The story goes back to September 2019 when the defendant made his remarks in Paris during a "Convention of the Right" organized by close associates of the deputy Marion Maréchal, recalls RTL. Justifying the absence of his client, Me Olivier Pardo argued that the commentator Zemmour "is increasingly the victim of attacks" and that he is not a jurist.

During the trial, the court watched the 32 minutes of the incriminating speech given on September 28. In total, 6 passages are being prosecuted by the prosecution. In this speech, Eric Zemmour portrayed immigrants as "colonizers", describing the veil and the djellaba as "the uniforms of an army of occupation". After listening to the incriminating speech of the commentator, the prosecutor estimated that the "offenses were perfectly characterized", asking the court to convict the commentator to 100 days - a fine of 100 euros.