7 charged with cyberbullying after Paris Olympics artistic director’s opening ceremony backlash

Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French authorities say they have charged seven individuals in connection with a cyberbullying campaign targeting Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the Paris Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies. Jolly became the target of an online hate campaign filled with homophobic and antisemitic abuse following his acclaimed but controversial queer-inclusive opening show in July. He filed a complaint on July 31. The Paris prosecutor’s office, which launched an investigation, reported Friday that the arrests are only the “first wave” of detentions, with more expected as authorities expand their probe. The seven defendants, who aged between 22 and 79, face charges of making death threats, aggravated insults and cyberbullying, with potential prison sentences and significant fines.