Olympic cyber-bully victims: Seven individuals penalized and barred following incidents at the 2024 Games
Title: Justice Served: Hateful Messengers Behind Paris 2024 Olympics Faces Punishment
In a landmark decision last Monday, the Paris Correctional Court meted out fines and suspended prison sentences to seven individuals implicated in sending vile messages to Thomas Jolly, the brainchild behind the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The culprits, ranging in age from 22 to 79, were also ordered to pay one euro in damages to Jolly.
The court imposed fines of €2,000 to €3,000 (suspended) on three defendants, and prison sentences of two to four months (also suspended) on the remaining four. A citizenship training course was compulsory for all seven defendants, and the X accounts of two were temporarily suspended for six months.
The indictment against the defendants was reclassified by the court, with most facing charges of cyberharassment and aggravated insults. Only one was found guilty of death threats, receiving a four-month suspended sentence.
During the trial in March, the public prosecutor had demanded three to eight months of suspended sentences for the seven defendants. In her recommendations, the magistrate lamented the impunity of those who spontaneously express their opinions online, warning that such words can encourages certain actions.
Many of the messages posted by the defendants were obscene, hateful, and often targeted Jolly's religion or sexual orientation. These individuals, although not professional trolls, seemed to have been carried away by the convenience of social media communication.
Jolly, the 43-year-old mastermind behind the opening ceremony, faced a barrage of threats and insults on social media after the Games began. Although the creative ceremony received praise from many spectators, the controversial painting titled "Festivity" stirred controversy among conservative and far-right circles.
The painting, which depicted a group at a table including several famous drag queens, was interpreted by some as a mockery of Leonardo da Vinci's depiction of the Last Supper. Despite Jolly's denial of any intention to shock and his explanation that he wanted to represent a "great pagan feast," the messages against him didn't cease and even escalated.
While the specifics of these cases can often be sensitive and not publicly disclosed to protect the individuals involved, it's crucial to remember that such behavior is not acceptable in any form or forum. For up-to-date and accurate information, it's advisable to check official sources or news outlets covering the Paris 2024 Olympics and related news.
- The individuals responsible for cyberharassing Thomas Jolly, the creative mind behind the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, were fined and suspended prison sentences were imposed on them by the Paris Correctional Court in 2024.
- In addition to the fines, the defendants were also ordered to pay one euro in damages to Jolly and a citizenship training course was compulsory for all seven defendants.
- During the trial in March, the public prosecutor had demanded suspended sentences for the seven defendants, emphasizing the need to address the impunity of those who express harmful opinions online.
- The controversial painting titled "Festivity," which sparked controversy among conservative and far-right circles due to its interpretation as a mockery of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, was a significant factor in the cyberharassment directed at Jolly.
