Former French Diplomatic Adviser Faces Trial for Alleged Terrorism Apology

Sophie Pommier is accused of comparing Hamas to the French Resistance in a controversial Instagram post following the October 2023 attacks on Israel.

Sophie Pommier, a former consultant for France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is on trial for 'apology of terrorism' over an Instagram post made hours after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 8, 2023.
In her post, Pommier drew a parallel between the Palestinian struggle and the French Resistance during World War II, sparking widespread backlash and legal action.
The prosecution has requested her acquittal, citing freedom of expression, while critics argue her statements glorify terrorism and trivialize the Holocaust.
Pommier, a Middle East specialist, claimed she was unaware of the scale of the October 7 massacres at the time of her post, which she insists was taken out of context.
The court has deferred its verdict to April 3, 2025, with Pommier potentially facing up to seven years in prison and a €100,000 fine if convicted.