Remarks made on France 2 in October 2019, after the attack on the Bayonne mosque
Stage as of 13 October 2026: Acquittal at first instance, 27 January 2022.
Finality not established: we have not been able to establish whether this decision has been appealed, nor the outcome of any appeal. Any person implicated is presumed innocent until their guilt has been established by a final decision (Article 9-1 of the Civil Code; preliminary article of the Code of Criminal Procedure).
Offences concerned: Diffamation, poursuites intentées par le Rassemblement national (partie civile)
Translation by the editorsDefamation, proceedings brought by the Rassemblement national (civil party)
· Acquittal at first instanceParis criminal court
Acquittal. According to a working copy of the decision quoted by AFP, the court considers that he « pouvait (...) prononcer les propos incriminés tout en restant dans les limites de la liberté d'expression » [“could (...) make the remarks in question while remaining within the limits of freedom of expression”]; the Rassemblement national, civil party, has its claims dismissed.
Sources: Le Figaro (AFP), “Fabien Roussel relaxé pour diffamation envers le RN”, 27 January 2022; Sud Ouest (AFP), “Fabien Roussel relaxé pour diffamation envers le Rassemblement national”, 27 January 2022