Youcef Atal, OGC Nice footballer, in police custody after a publication calling for “a black day for the Jews” on Instagram – Libération

2023-11-24 13:54:38

The war between Hamas and IsraeldossierThe Nice player targeted by a preliminary investigation for “apology of terrorism” after a publication linked to the conflict between Hamas and Israel, was placed in police custody this Friday, November 24.

His sharing of a video of a Palestinian preacher calling for violence caused intense controversy. OGC Nice footballer Youcef Atal, targeted by a preliminary investigation for “apology of terrorism” after relaying this publication online, was placed in police custody this Friday, November 24. According to information from Nice morning, he is heard by the judicial police, whose Nice offices are located in the Auvare barracks. Still according to the local daily, the charge of “provoking racial hatred on grounds of religion” was finally upheld by the prosecution. The footballer should be referred this Friday.

On October 14, the player shared on his Instagram account a video of Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat calling for “a black day for the Jews” and that they cannot “raise their flag in Gaza”, in the context of the first Israeli responses after the Hamas attack on October 7. The Algerian international quickly deleted the post and apologized.

However, the Nice prosecutor announced on October 16 the opening of an investigation for “apology of terrorism” and “provocation to hatred or violence on the basis of a specific religion”, and his club decided two days later late to suspend it until further notice. The club explained that it had chosen to “immediately take” sanctions, “prior” to those that could be taken by sporting or legal authorities, “taking into account the nature of the shared publication and its seriousness”.

The player has since no longer appeared in the red and black jersey of OGC Nice. On the other hand, he defended the colors of the Algerian selection on Sunday against Mozambique, after a month and a half away from the field.