Four Men Convicted Over Threats That Led to Bilal Hassani Concert Cancellation

The singer's planned 2023 performance in a desecrated Metz church was canceled following online hate and threats, prompting legal action.

Four men were convicted in Paris for inciting hate and public insults against singer Bilal Hassani, a prominent LGBTQ+ figure.
The convictions stem from threats and derogatory remarks made online after Hassani announced a concert in a desecrated church in Metz, France.
Sentences included fines ranging from €1,000 to €3,000, suspended penalties, and a mandatory citizenship training for one defendant.
The concert, scheduled for April 2023, was canceled by its producer due to safety concerns after a wave of threats and opposition from religious groups.
The court's ruling was praised by Hassani's legal team as a significant stand against hate speech, emphasizing the distinction between free speech and incitement to violence.