The convicted man was also banned from being present near Jewish places of worship for two years and will have to compensate the victims.
The Béziers prosecutor’s office announced on Sunday the conviction of a Moroccan resident of the city for antisemitic insults targeting a Jewish family and a rabbi. The young man appeared in court on November 25th after being taken into custody. During his hearing, he admitted to only some of the remarks he was accused of making, according to prosecutor Arnaud Faugère.
The events date back to July. A 66-year-old man went to the Béziers police station to file a complaint. A few days earlier, while on his way to the synagogue accompanied by his wife, daughter, grandchildren, a friend, and the rabbi who was to lead the service, the group was attacked.
“As a vehicle approached them, one of the people inside hurled anti-Semitic insults at them,” the prosecutor’s office stated. The victims were able to note the license plate number before the car drove away, thus allowing the driver to be identified.
In addition to his one-year prison sentence, with four months suspended and probation, the convicted man was prohibited from having any contact with the victims and from being present near Jewish places of worship for two years. He will also have to compensate the victims. The prosecutor’s office stated that he had no prior criminal record before this conviction.
