Far-right French presidential candidate fined 10,000 euros for saying "Illegal immigrants are murderers"

Eric Zemmour [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Eric Zemmour, a far-right commentator running as a candidate in the French presidential election, was found guilty on the 17th (local time) for hate speech, according to major foreign media reports on the same day. Zemmour's statement in 2020 that illegal immigrants should be deported because they are murderers, rapists, and thieves became problematic.

The Paris court imposed a fine of 10,000 euros, stating that he incited racial hatred. It also added that if the fine is not paid, he would be detained for 100 days.

The problematic remarks were made during a TV debate in 2020. In September 2020, an 18-year-old boy of Pakistani origin in Paris was judged to be related to the weekly magazine 'Charlie Hebdo' and stabbed two people. Immediately after the incident, Zemmour appeared on a TV debate and said about the issue of young immigrants, "They do not belong here (France). They are thieves, murderers, and rapists. That is all they are. We must send them back and never let them come to France again."

Zemmour gained recognition from his remarks at the time and declared his candidacy for the presidential election last fall.

Zemmour's lawyer said they would appeal the ruling. Zemmour did not appear in court that day. In a statement, he claimed, "It is a stupid and ideologically biased ruling and a political judgment aimed at silencing me." He also argued that the French people should be able to discuss immigrants and their criminal acts without fear of lawsuits.

J?r?me Karsenti, a lawyer for the anti-racism organization Maison des Potes, welcomed the court's ruling. He said, "The court sent a strong signal that must be known during the presidential campaign's public debate," adding, "Freedom of the press does not mean you can say whatever you want, and racism is not an opinion."

Zemmour is known to have been prosecuted 16 times over the past several years for repeated remarks involving sexual and racial discrimination.

In an October poll last year, Zemmour once ranked second, but in recent polls, he recorded 13% support, placing fourth.

The first place is held by current President Emmanuel Macron with 25% support. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, has 17%, and Val?rie P?cresse, governor of ?le-de-France and a center-right Republican candidate, ranks third with 16%.

France will hold the first round of the presidential election on April 10. If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, a runoff between the top two candidates will be held on April 24.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.