Michel Holbeck was accused of inciting discrimination and violence.
Hello, this is Sofia. Loud literary news is the case against Michel Holbeck, the main French writer of our time. A source familiar with the trial told Le Figaro that Houellebecq was charged with "complicity in inciting discrimination, hatred or violence." He may receive up to a year in prison and a fine of up to 45 thousand euros.
The reason was the writer's statements in an interview four years ago with the philosopher Michel Onfrey.
During this conversation, the winner of the Perry Goncourt Prize said that the immigrants threaten the French: "The native French population, as they are called, does not want the assimilation of Muslims, but that they stop stealing and attacking. Or alternatively, let them leave."
He also spoke of a possible "opposition":
"When entire territories come under the control of Islamists, I think resistance begins. There will be attacks and shootings at mosques, cafes frequented by Muslims, in one word, "Bataklanim" upside down," he said, referring to attack on November 13, 2015 at the Taklan concert hall in Paris.
In 2023, the Union of Mosques of France (UMF) and the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Among Nations (MRAP) complained about this interview. The Grand Mosque of Paris also wanted to file a lawsuit against Houellebecq, but decided not to after a meeting with the writer.
Houellebecq מאמין שהוא לא קרא לכלום - ובאופן כללי פשוט מימש את זכותו לחופש הביטוי. בזיכרונותיו, "כמה חודשים מחיי: אוקטובר 2022 - מרץ 2023", המוקדש למחלוקת המתוקשרת סביב הראיון הזה, הוא כינה את הצהרותיו מביכות. והוא הצהיר שהוא הפך לקורבן של הטיפשות שלו, כמו גם לחמדנות של אלה שרוצים לקדם את עצמם בנושא זה. כעת מתעקשים עורכי הדין של הסופר: "מישל הולבק יכול רק להצטער על הנטייה הגוברת להעביר דיונים אינטלקטואלים למישור השיפוטי".