Student Sentenced for Praising Murder of French Teacher Samuel Paty on Facebook

The daily L’Est Républicain had published an article on its Facebook page, announcing a gathering in memory of the teacher. Commenting on this article, the 19-year-old woman had written: "He doesn’t deserve to be beheaded, but to die, yes".

The comment, reported by an Internet user, led to the student’s arrest at the University of Besançon and her being held in custody, with an immediate appearance on Friday, reports Le Parisien. "I regret having written this comment, I apologize. I am against what I wrote," the young woman from a Muslim family told the court, adding that she had "deleted it the same evening" her message written "too quickly and without thinking".

Ms. Caroline Espuche, the student’s lawyer, indicated that her client did not know much about Samuel Paty and who, "as soon as she saw a video of the parent of a student", reacted hastily on social networks," the newspaper notes.

"I am willing to believe that this is an incomprehensible slip, a moment of madness during an outburst of anger," introduced prosecutor Margaret Parietti, recalling that "We are in a context where we cannot write, say anything."

The Besançon criminal court ruled: the student is sentenced to 4 months in prison with probation for "apology for terrorism". She will also have to complete a citizenship training course for 6 months, at her own expense, and 180 hours of community service.