Paris attacks: Dieudonne held as France tackles hate speech Dieudonne has had several convictions for anti-Semitism and could face prison if found guilty (archive image)
Controversial French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala has been detained by police for a Facebook comment appearing to back Paris gunman Amedy Coulibaly.
His is one of dozens of cases opened by authorities in a crackdown on condoning or threatening terrorism.
Justice Minister Christiane Taubira said words of hatred and contempt had to be fought with the "utmost vigour".
The justice ministry said earlier that 54 cases had been opened since the murders of 17 people in Paris last week. Of those, 37 cases involved condoning terrorism and 12 were for threatening to carry out terrorist acts.
Some fast-track custodial sentences have already been handed down under anti-terror legislation passed last November
A man of 22 was jailed on Tuesday for a year for posting a video mocking one of the three murdered policemen A drunk driver was given four years in prison after making threats against the police who arrested him Three men in their twenties were jailed in Toulouse for condoning terrorism A man of 20 was jailed in Orleans for shouting "long live the Kalash[(nikov]" at police in a shopping centre
'freedom of speech should not be confused with anti-Semitism, racism and Holocaust denial'.
I wouldn't condone these actions but I'm beginning to see why Musims are beginning to feel persecuted in one sense. If our countries are places where special groups are created under the law, in this case regarding causing offence then the rest will feel aggrieved. Paradoxically, we've had it ourselves with some of our own legislation designed to protect minority groups from feeling aggrieved.
The law should apply equally to all.
I wouldn't condone these actions but I'm beginning to see why Musims are beginning to feel persecuted in one sense. If our countries are places where special groups are created under the law, in this case regarding causing offence then the rest will
It is a classic vicious circle -- extremists commit some outrage or other -- mass murder, bombings, firing missiles into Israel -- the response is collective punishment which bolsters the position of the extremists who now pose as defenders of their largely peaceful majority population.
At a lower level, we see the same with protection rackets posing as defenders of their communities.
It is a classic vicious circle -- extremists commit some outrage or other -- mass murder, bombings, firing missiles into Israel -- the response is collective punishment which bolsters the position of the extremists who now pose as defenders of their
What aren't they stepping up assaults massively in Afghanistan and wherever else the terrorists are? Lots of countries should be providing funding & support.
What aren't they stepping up assaults massively in Afghanistan and wherever else the terrorists are? Lots of countries should be providing funding & support.
Given that the perpetrators of the Charlie Hebdo attack were known - long-term - to the French authorities, there should be no reason why anyoneknown to hold similar views, in France, Britain or wherever, should not be immediately rounded up and interned.
All the hate preachers who live among us, all their adherents, all of them, just rounded up, slung in a cell and left to rot.
To be honest, one expects a certain amount of danger and risk in one's life - should it come to light following another attack here that the perpetrators had been on the radar of the authorities and left free to carry out whatever atrocity they choose to carry out, then we should hold those who have sworn to defend us equally responsible. The simple fact is that this Jihadist, fundamentalist moveent has been operating in Britain for decades, and was originally thought to be a bunch of blowhards letting off steam - both by their fellow Muslims and our security services. Now that we know of the clear and present danger they represent to our society, they should all, to a man, be in jail.
Given that the perpetrators of the Charlie Hebdo attack were known - long-term - to the French authorities, there should be no reason why anyoneknown to hold similar views, in France, Britain or wherever, should not be immediately rounded up and inte
Two people have been killed in an anti-terror operation in eastern Belgium, local officials say.
A third person was wounded during the raid in the town of Verviers, according to Belgian TV.
A source in the mayor's office told AFP news agency that "an operation is under way". Another official said the raid was "jihadist-related".
Witnesses reported hearing heavy gunfire for several minutes and at least three explosions.
Reports on social media say there is a heavy police presence in the town centre.
Verviers is in the province of Liege and has a population of about 56,000.
Two people have been killed in an anti-terror operation in eastern Belgium, local officials say.A third person was wounded during the raid in the town of Verviers, according to Belgian TV.A source in the mayor's office told AFP news agency that "an o