The two identity generation activists had relayed a petition claiming the expulsion of Kamel Kabtane, a figure of the Lyon interreligious dialogue. Judged for provocation to racial hatred, they were absent from the courtroom Tuesday.
by Richard Schittly (Lyon, correspondent)
“You will always be defended by the lawyers of our country, you embody the common good”, solemnly reassured François Saint-Pierre, by defending Kamel Kabtane, Tuesday January 17, in the courtroom 6 E Chamber of the Criminal Court of Lyon, which judged two ultra -right activists for “public provocation to discrimination, hatred, violence” of a racist nature. For the Lyon lawyer, the rector of the Great Mosque of Lyon was the victim “of a political discourse based on racial prejudices, which presents a danger to the social and political stability of France”. According to M e Saint-Pierre, this affair typically is the strategy of ultra-right activists, who pretend freedom of expression to better undermine the democratic foundations.
In March 2020, Kamel Kabtane, ardent craftsman of interreligious dialogue, is the target of a violent ultra -right campaign. In the midst of a health crisis, while the churches sounded bells in tribute to caregivers and supporting the patients with COVID-19, the rector decided to call for prayer, from the minaret of the Great Mosque of Lyon, For the first time since its creation, in 1994. In reaction, the group generation identity launched on social networks a petition demanding the expulsion of the religious representative to Algeria, “his country of origin”. The message denounces an alleged “reconquest strategy” on the part of an “Islamist”. The petition has obtained several hundred signatures, and many relays on Twitter.
“My nationality, my dignity have been called into question. Because we are Muslims, we have to undergo this situation?” Asked Mr. Kabtane, decorated with the National Order of Merit and the Legion of the Legion of the Legion of Merit on Tuesday honor. EMU at the helm, the rector is supported by many personalities present in the room, including the priest Christian Delorme.
“Stupidity”
The investigation made it possible to identify two individuals who retweeted the text. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes, Clément Martin, 36, former participant in anti-immigrant operations near the Italian border, added a personal message to describe the “Islamist” rector, while Johan Salacroup, 32, A Envoy de Montpellier A photo of the rector, attached to that of Salah Abdeslam, condemned for the 2015 attacks in Paris. Hearing by the police, the two men recognized, and even claimed, their act, without however assuming it in the face of justice, deserting the hearing. “We are dealing with illegals of violent political action”, quips M e Saint-Pierre.
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