Jerseys printed with “Bin Laden”, “Merah” and “Hitler” during a high school blockade: two new arrests

A provocation that could cost them dearly. On October 8, three young individuals were filmed in front of the Dumont d'Urville high schools in Caen (Calvados) and Salvador-Allende high schools in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, on the sidelines of the high school mobilization wearing jerseys printed with "Ben Laden", "Merah" and "Hitler".

After broadcast of the video on the social network Snapchat, where thousands of views had been recorded, the prefect of Calvados David Clavière made a report on the basis of article 40 of the code of criminal procedure obliging “any constituted authority, any public officer or civil servant who, in the exercise of his functions, becomes aware of a crime or misdemeanor, to notify the public prosecutor without delay”.

This report led to the opening of an investigation into advocating war crimes and terrorism a week later and then to the arrest of a 16-year-old who was wearing a “Bin Laden” jersey. He admitted the facts, recognizing in passing “acts of outrage” targeting the principal of a high school in Caen and the police officers.

“The investigation made it possible to establish his participation in a group with a view to committing violence or damage, in particular through the supply of pyrotechnic materials and active incitement to the commission of acts of violence or damage,” added Caen prosecutor Joël Garrigue. The minor was presented the next day to a children's judge to whom the prosecution asked to place him under judicial supervision until his appearance before the children's court, reports France 3 Normandie.

This Thursday, the Calvados national police announced that they had arrested the two other members of the trio. “Our investigators carried out the identification and interviewing of those involved. Prosecuted for acts of glorifying terrorism, the three young men will have to answer for their actions before a children's judge on December 15,” details this same source on Facebook.

For the prefect of Calvados, these facts cannot be trivialized: “Social networks are not a lawless zone. Hiding behind anonymity does not allow you to escape the law or escape your responsibilities,” writes David Clavière on X, reminding in passing that “anyone can report potentially illicit content on the official PHAROS platform.”