French Politicians Demand Tougher Cyberbullying Laws After Activist’s Acquittal

Since the acquittal of the community activist, the indignant reactions of French politicians have been piling up. "The acquittal pronounced for the author of a harassment campaign on social networks against Zineb El Rhazoui shows that the law must absolutely be changed to protect any citizen against online hatred. We will do it with the ’respect for the principles of the Republic’ law," wrote the deputy of Loire-Atlantique, François de Rugy.

"The acquittal of Idriss Sihamedi is a new episode in the long series of weaknesses of our judicial system in the fight against radical Islam," commented Senator Bruno Retailleau.

Considering that there was "no evidence of the actual deterioration of the living conditions" of the former Charlie Hebdo journalist, the Paris Criminal Court acquitted, on Friday, January 15, the founder of the association BarakaCity, Idriss Sihamedi.