French Court Convicts 10 for Cyberbullying First Lady Brigitte Macron

Landmark Verdict in French Cyberbullying Case

A Paris court has delivered a landmark verdict, convicting ten individuals for cyberbullying France's First Lady Brigitte Macron in what legal experts are calling a significant precedent for online harassment cases involving public figures. The defendants, aged between 41 and 65, were found guilty of spreading malicious falsehoods about the 72-year-old wife of President Emmanuel Macron, including persistent claims that she was born male and insinuations linking her 24-year age difference with her husband to pedophilia.

Sentences and Consequences

The court handed down a range of penalties that reflect the seriousness of the offenses. One defendant who failed to appear in court received a six-month prison sentence, while eight others received suspended sentences ranging from four to eight months. All ten were ordered to attend mandatory cyberbullying awareness training, and several will have their social media access suspended for six months. Additionally, the defendants must collectively pay €11,675 in compensation to Brigitte Macron for moral damages.

'The comments were particularly degrading, insulting, and malicious,' the court stated in its ruling, noting that some posts had been viewed tens of thousands of times, amplifying their harmful impact.

Family Impact and Legal Strategy

During the trial, Brigitte Macron's daughter from her previous marriage testified about the devastating effects the online harassment had on their family. 'My children are bullied at school because of the lies spread about their grandmother,' she told the court, highlighting how the conspiracy theories had real-world consequences for the Macron family's younger generation.

The case represents a strategic shift for the Macrons, who had previously tolerated years of online abuse before deciding to take legal action. 'I launched these proceedings to set an example in the fight against harassment,' Brigitte Macron stated through her legal team. The First Lady's decision to pursue legal remedies comes amid growing concerns about the psychological toll of sustained online harassment on public figures and their families.

Broader Legal Context

This French case is part of a broader international legal strategy by the Macrons. They are simultaneously pursuing a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative podcaster Candace Owens, who has repeatedly claimed on her YouTube channel that Brigitte Macron was born male. The French government has also appealed to the country's highest court regarding similar cases, indicating a comprehensive approach to combating transnational digital harassment.

Legal experts note that this verdict demonstrates France's commitment to enforcing its cyberbullying laws, which have been strengthened in recent years to address the growing problem of online harassment. The mandatory awareness training component of the sentence represents an innovative approach that combines punitive measures with educational interventions.

Freedom of Speech Concerns

One defendant has announced plans to appeal the verdict, claiming it represents an erosion of freedom of speech in France. 'This ruling shows that freedom of expression no longer exists in France,' he stated after the verdict. However, legal analysts point out that French law distinguishes between protected speech and targeted harassment, with the latter carrying legal consequences.

The case has sparked debate about the boundaries between free expression and harmful speech in the digital age. While some defendants claimed their comments were intended as humor or satire, the court emphasized that the cumulative effect of repeated malicious publications created a pattern of harassment that crossed legal boundaries.

This landmark ruling sends a clear message that online harassment of public figures and their families will not be tolerated in France, setting an important precedent for future cases involving digital abuse and disinformation campaigns targeting political figures.