Apology for terrorism: one year in prison requested for Dieudonné

Paris prosecutors have requested a one-year prison sentence for controversial comedian Dieudonné M'Bala M'Bala. The charges include apologizing for terrorism and insulting the current Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, based on posts made on his X account in late 2024 and early 2025.

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I am a humorist. I am neither a politician, nor an intellectual, nor a sociologist. I have been making French people laugh for almost 40 years.

The case centers on two videos. The first, posted on October 7, 2024, the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, was seen by over a million people. In it, Dieudonné initially decries "continuous propaganda chains" and calls the date "wonderful, extraordinary, magical," before claiming he was referring to his daughter's birthday. The second video was deemed insulting towards Nuñez, then Paris police prefect, following a ban on one of Dieudonné's shows.

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My universe is derision, droll satire, and sometimes bad taste. But I couldn't help but call him out.

Dieudonné, who has a history of 34 convictions, defended himself by stating he is a humorist, not a politician, and that his work relies on "dark humor" and "derision." He argued that his provocative style makes him an unintentional "chemical revealer of freedom of expression." The prosecution, however, highlighted his "logic of reiteration" and requested a 20,000 euro fine and three years of ineligibility, viewing his controversial statements as a "cash cow."

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I have become, despite myself, the chemical revealer of freedom of expression, I did not ask for it.

Dieudonné's lawyer argued for his acquittal, suggesting that Dieudonné would not have faced prosecution if he were not such a prominent figure. The court is expected to deliver its verdict on September 17.

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If it were not Dieudonné, no one would have been prosecuted for this.