A landmark cyberbullying trial in Paris – over thousands of threats against a teenager who strongly criticised Islam in online posts – is blazing a trail in efforts to punish and prevent online abuse., reports FRANCE 24.
Thirteen young people of various backgrounds and religions from around France face potential prison time for charges including online harassment, online death threats and online rape threats in the two-day trial wrapping up Tuesday.
It is the first such trial since France created a new court in January to prosecute online crimes, including harassment and discrimination.
One of the defendants wants to become a police officer. Another says he just wanted to rack up more followers by making people laugh. Some denied wrongdoing, others apologised. Most said they tweeted or posted without thinking.
The teen at the centre of the trial, who has been identified publicly only by her first name, Mila, told the court she feels as if she’s been “condemned to death".