Ten individuals are facing potential jail sentences of up to two years each for allegedly engaging in sexist cyberbullying targeting Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France. Seven of the accused, described as ‘trolls’, appeared in court today, facing charges of harassing Ms. Macron to the extent that it caused a significant decline in her physical and mental well-being.
The defendants, consisting of one woman and six men, are accused of spreading false claims about the 72-year-old first lady, including allegations that she was originally male and insinuations of illicit behavior towards her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, when he was a minor. If convicted of cyberbullying Ms. Macron, all ten individuals could be sentenced to two years in prison.
Although ten people were charged in connection with the case, three did not attend the commencement of their trial at the Paris Correctional Court on Monday. Among those present was Amandine Roy, who also goes by the name Delphine Jegousse, a 53-year-old clairvoyant. Roy allegedly made defamatory claims about Ms. Macron’s past in a lengthy YouTube video, insinuating that she was born male and questioning the existence of her first husband.
During the ongoing criminal trial, Roy and other defendants have been accused of online harassment that severely impacted Brigitte Macron’s well-being. The defendants deny any wrongdoing, arguing that their comments constitute protected free speech, despite the prosecution’s emphasis on the harmful nature of the remarks directed at Ms. Macron.
The trial is focused on numerous derogatory remarks regarding Brigitte Macron’s gender, sexuality, and age gap with her spouse, which have led to comparisons to inappropriate behavior. According to Paris prosecutors, a complaint for cyberbullying was filed by Ms. Macron on August 27th, 2021, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
One of the accused, Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, known online as ‘Zoe Sagan’, has also been targeted in the case. His defense barrister criticized the trial for allegedly having political motivations and infringing on freedom of expression. The Macron couple’s relationship has long been subject to speculation due to its unconventional start, with Emmanuel Macron’s romantic involvement with his former teacher causing controversy before their eventual marriage in 2007.
Despite the absence of Brigitte Macron in court, her legal representation highlighted the damaging effects of the cyberbullying allegations. The trial continues to address the harmful impact of online harassment on public figures and the boundaries of free speech in the digital age.
