In Sommières, the Gardois shared anti-Semitic videos and incitement to hatred

Me Caroline Greffier defended the defendant. Midi Libre – Cathy Rocher

In Sommières, between 2019 and 2022, this Gardois increased, via social networks, the broadcasts of anti-Semitic videos, incitements to hatred and death threats. He was sentenced this Thursday by the Nîmes criminal court to two years in prison and was imprisoned.

In Sommières, between October 2019 and September 2022, Nicolas, a young man, now aged 26, has increased the provocations of hatred, the broadcasting of anti-Semitic videos and death threats. And all this on social networks or by email. The Gardois, however, had already been warned. For similar facts, an investigation had been opened and was still in progress. He had been placed under judicial supervision. Which did not prevent him from continuing to broadcast an impressive series of videos, all equally hateful. Nicolas used Instagram, Telegram messaging.

Loner and addicted to social networks

Prosecuted for incitement to hatred  due to origin, ethnicity, nation, race or religion and death threats, the Gardois appeared this Thursday before the Nîmes criminal court. " I do not fully endorse these ideas,” declared this man who struggles to explain himself and assures “that he is no longer the same” today.   Nicolas, addicted to social networks, hardly goes out,  lives with his father. He has been followed, more or less, since his childhood, by psychiatrists and psychologists.

" Such remarks are very often the preludes to acting out" 

" I was like… an influencer. Since my mother died, I have been in her groups. It had become a drug for me…, says the defendant. Nicolas broadcast racist songs from rap groups that have since been banned. He spoke all day long about hatred of Jews. . Nicolas was called Nico SS. He was also a fan of the Brigandes (a far-right music group based in La Salvetat-sur-Agoût). He went even further when he threatened to kill – with a bullet to the head – a blogger from Hérault who denounced the actions of the Brigandes. " I'm going to go to your house to kill you and torture you", announces the Gardois.  The victim, defended by Me Etcheverrigaray, filed a complaint. In the Paris region, this young woman who was worried about Nicolas's comments sounded the alarm on social networks. In return, she was the victim of death threats. She was represented by Me Serfati in court. The lawyer also spoke, on behalf of the national office for vigilance against anti-Semitism and Crif. nbsp;" He says he was not aware of what he was doing, notes the lawyer. This defense is despicable. He does it in full awareness. And such comments are very often the preludes to acting out."

The prosecutor, Arnaud Massip requested 18 months in prison, half of which was suspended on probation. " These are facts that he recognized without the need to insist, argued Me Caroline Registrar, the lawyer of the accused." He is a deeply alone man, describes the lawyer. His first meetings were with activists from the National Front. The thing that drives him is belonging to a group.  In truth, he wasn't in any group. He was the useful idiot. He was easily manipulated and suffered from personality problems."

Le Gardois was sentenced to two years in prison.