Racist posts on Facebook in Sainte-Luce: man detained in Martinique
A resident of Sainte-Luce was placed in police custody on Sunday after posting racist messages on Facebook. He is to be presented to the prosecutor on Monday.
Police custody after racist posts linked to Trappes shooting
A resident of Sainte-Luce was placed in police custody on Sunday 25 October at the gendarmerie of his municipality, according to rci.fm. The allegations: several posts on Facebook deemed racist, published in the days following the terrorist shooting in Trappes.
The man, identified as Patrick M., was still being questioned by officers in the evening. According to sources, he is to be referred on Monday 26 October to the prosecutor of the Republic to answer for his writings.
The facts alleged against him may be legally classified as "incitement to racial hatred, violence or discrimination against a person or group because of their origin, their race (alleged), their nationality or their religion".
Posts quickly spotted on social networks
Following the terrorist shooting in Trappes, the suspect allegedly posted several messages on his Facebook account. Among the posts noted were: "We need more Kévin!" — in reference to the first name of the perpetrator of the attack — and also: "Good, the big clean-up is about to begin." These posts, attributed to a man of Caucasian appearance according to his profile photo, quickly circulated on social networks and provoked the indignation of many Martinicans.
Mobilisation outside the gendarmerie and tension in the municipality
Believing they had located the suspect's home, residents gathered this morning outside an apartment in a residential building in Sainte-Luce. The gendarmes clarified that it was not the home of the suspect. Nevertheless, the tension forced law enforcement to intervene to restore calm.
A group of activists also maintained a gathering throughout the morning outside the Sainte-Luce gendarmerie. Among them, Philippe Rapinier expressed his indignation: "It is not acceptable to have such comments from people living in Martinique. I cannot accept that following a tragedy like the one in Trappes, someone says anything whatsoever from the heart of beautiful Martinique. He may have felt protected in saying this and, unfortunately, this is not the first time we have seen this type of comments."
Political establishment refers case to prosecutor
The posts also provoked reactions within the Martinican political establishment. The mayor of Sainte-Luce, Nicaise Monrose, referred the matter to the prosecutor of the Republic for incitement to racial hatred and provocation to violence.
The Federation of Republicans of Martinique announced in a press release its intention to file a complaint. Deputy Marcellin Nadeau for his part sent a letter to the prosecutor, in which he denounces writings that are "particularly outrageous and liable to take on a racist character".
In the evening, the prosecutor confirmed his decision: Patrick M. will be presented to justice on Monday 26 October with a view to legal proceedings.
Source: Google News MQ — Crime