Michel Houellebecq was charged. The case concerns statements about Islam

According to "Le Figaro", the decision was made on Tuesday by the investigating judge of the court in Nanterre near Paris. The charge concerns complicity in inciting discrimination, hatred or violence against persons due to, among others, on their origin or religious affiliation.

70-year-old Houellebecq is one of the most famous contemporary novelists, author of, among others, books "Submission", "Elementary Particles" and "Map and Territory".

Complaints following an interview with "Front Populaire"

The proceedings were initiated following criminal complaints filed by the Union of Mosques of France (UMF) and the Movement against Racism and for Friendship among Peoples (MRAP).

The organizations questioned the writer's words expressed in an extensive interview with philosopher Michel Onfray. The conversation was published in November 2022 in the Front Populaire magazine published by Onfray.

Statements about migrants and Muslims

In the interview, the writer said, among other things: about - in his opinion - the gradual displacement of the indigenous inhabitants of Europe by migrants. He predicted that this could lead to violence, including attacks on mosques and premises frequented by Muslims.

Houellebecq also argued that the French do not expect Muslims to assimilate, but "want an end to looting and violence." "Otherwise, let them go," the writer said about migrants.

The writer denies the accusations. He maintains that he exercised freedom of speech and his statements did not contain calls for hatred or violence.

If Michel Houellebecq is found guilty, he could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to PLN 45,000. euro.