An investigation has been opened into threats against judges following Marine Le Pen’s conviction for corruption earlier this week, French media report.
In order to target “reprehensible remarks directed at the judges who collectively made the decision,” an investigation has been launched, Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Tuesday.
The investigation, led by the National Center for Combating Online Hate, has been assigned to the Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes Against Persons.
Earlier this year, another investigation was launched into death threats against the judge who presided over the hearing and the prosecutors who brought the case against Le Pen and her co-defendants.
The death threats were made on a far-right website, French media report.
The far-right leader Le Pen (56), a frontrunner in the 2027 presidential elections, has been banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzling European Union (EU) funds.
Le Pen was also sentenced to four years in prison, including two years with an electronic bracelet, while the remainder is suspended. She was also fined 100.000 euros (108.200 dollars).
The First Presidency of the Paris Court of Appeal has called for “respect for the judiciary,” as personal attacks against the three judges in this case have escalated on social media.
Minister of the Interior of France Bruno Retailleau condemned the threats on Tuesday as absolutely unacceptable and expressed readiness to place the judges under protection together with Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin.
