Algerian Influencers Face Trial in France for Incitement to Hatred and Terrorism

Algerian influencers Doualemn and Youcef A., known as "Zazou Youssef," are set to face trial in France on February 24, 2025, for charges related to incitement of hatred and glorification of terrorism. These legal proceedings come amid increasing scrutiny of social media content that incites violence, particularly against the backdrop of strained relations between France and Algeria.

Details of the Trials

Doualemn's Case:

• Doualemn was arrested after posting a TikTok video that French authorities interpreted as inciting hatred. The Montpellier prosecution reported that he had a significant following on social media, with 168,000 TikTok followers and a YouTube channel.
• Initially accused of calling for violence against an anti-regime protester, the prosecution later clarified that expert translations indicated he did not explicitly call for murder but rather suggested "a severe correction" for the individual in question. Doualemn has acknowledged his actions but stated he was under drug substitution treatment.

Zazou Youssef's Case:

• Youcef A., also known as Zazou Youssef, was detained in Brest for advocating terrorism through his TikTok videos, which reportedly called for violence against opponents of the Algerian government and attacks in France. He had over 400,000 followers on TikTok before his account was banned for violating hate speech policies.
• If convicted, Zazou Youssef faces up to seven years in prison and a fine of €100,000 ($103,000).

Broader Context

The arrests of these influencers are part of a larger crackdown by French authorities on social media content perceived as promoting violence. This comes at a time when tensions between Algeria and France have escalated due to various political issues, including France's support for Morocco regarding Western Sahara and recent arrests of Franco-Algerian individuals. The French Interior Minister has emphasized that such acts will not go unanswered, indicating a commitment to tackling online hate speech and extremism.

In addition to Doualemn and Zazou Youssef, another influencer known as Imad Tintin is also facing legal action, with his trial scheduled for March 5, 2025. His case involves similar allegations of incitement to violence against the French state.

As these trials approach, they highlight the ongoing challenges surrounding free speech and the responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating content that could incite violence or hatred.