French Court Sent Comedian Dieudonné To Prison For Hate Speech

The controversial French comedian, Dieudonné M’bala M’bala, has been sentenced to two months in jail by a Belgian court for incitement to hatred over racist and antisemitic comments he made during a show.

Dieudonné, who has faced similar cases in France, was also fined €9,000 (£6,300) by the court in Liège. He was not in court for the verdict.

Eric Lemmens, a lawyer for Belgium’s Jewish organisations, told Agence France-Presse that the judgment “says that all the accusations against Dieudonné were established – both incitement to hatred and hate speech but also Holocaust denial”. The charges related to a show in Liège in 2012. “For me this is more than satisfying, this is a major victory,” he said.

Opponents say his controversial comments are racist, while supporters champion his right to free speech.

Dieudonné, who can appeal the decision, could not be reached for comment.

Theguardian

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