Three men to be tried in France for hate speech after viral video

This follows a viral video from early June 2026, which showed men in a Rodez nightclub chanting, "Marine to power, Arabs to the slaughterhouse." The video, filmed on the night of June 4-5 and published on June 6, gained widespread attention weeks later. The public prosecutor of Rodez opened an investigation for "incitement to hatred or violence" after reports from two La France Insoumise deputies, Laurent Alexandre and Antoine Léaument.

SOS Racisme also referred the matter to the justice system. Five people present that night were questioned, and three admitted to the acts, stating they acted "without political motive, under the influence of alcohol," according to prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller. The French government, through spokesperson Maud Bregeon, condemned the remarks as "deeply shocking" and "absolutely inadmissible," calling for firm sanctions.

While La France Insoumise deputies denounced a political and media "omerta," Marine Le Pen, leader of the Rassemblement national, whose name was invoked in the chants, disavowed any responsibility, calling the remarks "unbearable" and expressing hope for judicial condemnation.