Rima Hassan Faces Paris Trial for 'Apologie du Terrorisme'

Overview

• The two-day trial opened in Paris on Monday with Rima Hassan accused of praising a 1972 Tel-Aviv attacker after she reposted and then deleted a quote attributed to Kozo Okamoto.
• Courtroom proceedings on the first day were turbulent, with repeated suspensions, heated exchanges between lawyers and Hassan invoking her right to silence rather than answering questions about intent.
• Several Jewish organisations including the OJE and LICRA joined as civil parties to argue the post legitimised terrorism, while Hassan and her defence say the prosecution is politically motivated and aimed at silencing criticism of Israel.
• A separate police probe into reported drugs found during Hassan's custody was closed after tests showed the substances were CBD, and Hassan has filed a complaint alleging unlawful leaks tied to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
• On Tuesday the public prosecutor asked for a sentence of ten months' suspended prison and two years of ineligibility, a demand that will shape debate over free expression, political speech and possible chilling effects on dissent.