2023-10-16 16:27:18
The Nice prosecutor announced Monday the opening of a preliminary investigation for “apology of terrorism” against OGC Nice player Youcef Atal, following comments he relayed on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The defender re-shared on his Instagram account a video of Palestinian Sheikh Mahmoud al-Hasanat, who calls on God to send “a dark day on the Jews”.
The investigation, also opened for “provocation of hatred or violence on the basis of a specific religion”, was entrusted to the Nice judicial police, the prosecutor said in a short press release. He writes that he was informed by the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Hugues Moutouh, and the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi (Horizons) “of facts likely to be attributed (to Youcef Atal) with the broadcast last week of messages on the social networks”.
The investigation, also opened for “provocation to hatred or violence on the basis of a specific religion”, was entrusted to the Nice judicial police.
Apologies from the player
The French Football Federation condemned “with the most extreme firmness” the message relayed by the player, who apologized and deleted his message. “I am aware that my publication shocked several people, which was not my intention, and I apologize for that,” he wrote on Instagram. “I would like to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity: I strongly condemn all forms of violence, anywhere in the world, and I support all victims. I will never support a message of hatred. Peace is an ideal in which I firmly believe. »
From Saturday, in a message published on X, Christian Estrosi had said he expected an apology from the player “if he allowed himself to be exploited”. “If this were not the case, he would no longer have his place in our club,” continued the mayor of Nice. “If the content” of the comments relayed is “confirmed”, they “constitute incitement to hatred”, for its part underlined Crif Sud-Est. Specifying that he contacted his lawyer “so that a complaint can be filed”.
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