Trial begins over beheading of teacher who showed Prophet Muhammad cartoon

The trial of eight individuals accused of encouraging the brutal beheading of Samuel Paty, a French teacher murdered in 2020, has begun in Paris. The case, which revolves around the circumstances leading to Paty’s tragic death, has reignited debates about free speech, online radicalization, and the impact of social media.

The murder of Samuel Paty, a 47-year-old history teacher at a secondary school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, shocked France and sent ripples through the global community. On 16 October 2020, Paty was beheaded by 18-year-old Abdoullakh Anzorov, a Chechen refugee who claimed he was avenging the Prophet Muhammad after Paty showed controversial cartoons in a lesson on freedom of speech. Anzorov, who was shot dead by police shortly after the attack, was not the only one involved in Paty’s murder—eight others are now on trial, facing charges of encouraging or assisting in the murder.

While the murder itself is not the central issue of the trial, the court will delve into the sequence of events leading up to the attack. Over the course of seven weeks, the trial will examine how a lie, spread by a 13-year-old student, spiraled out of control, fueled by social media, and ultimately led to a lone act of violence.

The Incident that Sparked a National Crisis

On 6 October 2020, Paty showed a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad in class to discuss freedom of speech, a topic he had taught several times before. He had warned his students in advance that the image might be offensive and advised those who might feel uncomfortable to look away. However, the following day, a 13-year-old student told her father that Paty had shown a “naked picture of the Prophet” and that Muslims were asked to leave the room. This was a complete fabrication—the girl was not even present for the lesson, and Paty had never made such a request.

Despite this, the false claim rapidly spread on social media. The girl’s father, Brahim Chnina, posted videos online repeating the accusation and naming Paty, which were then picked up by other individuals. Abdelhakim Sefrioui, an Islamist activist, produced a video entitled “Islam and the Prophet insulted in a public college,” which further incited public outrage. The campaign of hate and threats against Paty intensified, with thousands of messages flooding the school.

Paty, feeling increasingly isolated and threatened, confided in colleagues about the pressure he was facing. The online campaign reached far beyond the school, sparking global attention and escalating tensions.

Anzorov’s Radicalization and the Path to Murder

In Rouen, 80 kilometers from Paris, Anzorov, a young Chechen refugee, was deeply influenced by the online rhetoric. His anger grew after seeing Paty denounced as a blasphemer, and he became determined to take action. Anzorov posted a note on his phone, stating, “A teacher has shown his class a picture of the messenger of Allah naked.” He reached out to two friends, one of whom allegedly accompanied him when he purchased a knife, and the other helped him buy replica firearms on 16 October. The same day, Anzorov traveled to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine and beheaded Samuel Paty.

Four other defendants are also on trial, including individuals who allegedly provided moral and logistical support to Anzorov through social media platforms like Snapchat and Twitter. While the accused acknowledge their involvement, they deny charges of “terrorist association” or complicity in the murder. The defense for some of the accused will argue that while they publicly condemned Paty’s actions, they did not call for violence, and they were unaware that Anzorov intended to kill him.

Legal Context and Social Implications

The trial takes place against the backdrop of rising concerns over Islamist radicalization and the challenges of combating online extremism. In the months leading up to the murder, the trial for the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks had been ongoing, and France was experiencing heightened tensions surrounding freedom of expression, particularly in the wake of Charlie Hebdo’s republishing of the Prophet Muhammad cartoons. In this context, publicly labeling someone as a blasphemer was seen by prosecutors as tantamount to inciting violence.

Prosecutors argue that the defendants’ actions were not just about criticizing Paty but actively creating a target for murder. The girl’s false accusations, the video campaign, and the encouragement Anzorov received online contributed to an atmosphere of hate that ultimately led to the attack.

In 2021, the girl who made the false accusations was convicted in a French minors’ court for defamation and given a suspended sentence. Five other students were also convicted for helping Anzorov identify Paty in exchange for money.

A Nation Confronts Its Values

The trial has become a significant moment for France to reflect on its core values, including freedom of speech, the limits of online expression, and the radicalization of young people. It also raises uncomfortable questions about the role of social media in facilitating hate and violence. As the trial progresses, it is clear that the issues at play go beyond a single act of violence—they touch on the very fabric of French society and its commitment to secularism and free expression.

The trial is expected to continue until late December, with the final verdicts to be delivered after a thorough examination of the events that led to one of the most shocking murders in recent French history.