Judicial authorities seek Alain Soral in connection with charges of provoking terrorism and apologizing for terrorist activities
In a recent development, French authorities have launched an investigation into the activities of a Telegram channel known as the "Axis of Resistance". The channel, which reportedly has thousands of subscribers, is under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in spreading anti-Semitic slurs and potentially inciting political destabilization movements in France.
The investigation was initiated by the National Pole for the Fight Against Online Hate Speech (PNLH) following a referral from the Ministry of the Interior to the Paris prosecutor's office on October 30, 2023. The case is linked to Alain Soral, a controversial French figure who is currently exiled in Switzerland.
Soral, known for his far-right, anti-Western views, is a leading figure behind the ideological framework connected to the "Axis of Resistance" Telegram channel. The channel, which disseminates pro-Iranian messages in French, is generally understood to align with the views of Soral and his network, particularly in terms of support for resistance against Western hegemony and criticism of the US and Israel.
The individuals managing the channel are part of or affiliated with Soral’s network, promoting a geopolitical narrative opposing Western influence and supporting the “Axis of Resistance” concept that includes Iran. This connection illustrates the overlap between certain European far-right activists like Soral and pro-Iranian resistance narratives circulating on platforms like Telegram.
Soral's movement, "Égalité & Réconciliation", is a French political and media movement that advocates a mix of left-wing social ideas and right-wing nationalism, often characterized by conspiracy theories and anti-globalist rhetoric. The movement has been linked to pro-Iranian and pro-Russian perspectives and seeks to challenge Western narratives through media like the Telegram channel in question.
Soral himself has multiple convictions for negationism and antisemitism. The charges against him are related to potential activities in France on behalf of Tehran, including alleged incitement to terrorism and apology for terrorism. The case also involves suspected Iranian interference.
BFM TV has reported the involvement of the individuals behind the "Axis of Resistance" Telegram channel in "Egalité & Réconciliation". The channel is also associated with the website "Egalité & Réconciliation".
The investigation against the "Axis of Resistance" Telegram channel is ongoing, with French authorities working to uncover the specific identities behind the channel and the extent of its activities. The channel's suspected role in spreading hate speech and potentially inciting political destabilization is a matter of concern for French authorities as they work to maintain peace and harmony in the country.
- The investigation by the National Pole for the Fight Against Online Hate Speech (PNLH) involves not only the "Axis of Resistance" Telegram channel but also the general-news website "Egalité & Réconciliation", which is linked to Alain Soral's political movement of the same name.
- The ongoing investigation into the "Axis of Resistance" Telegram channel is relevant to the broader field of crime-and-justice, as it pertains to alleged activities of hate speech and potential political destabilization, activities that have led to past convictions of Soral for antisemitism and negationism.
