After the broadcast of an issue of “Zone Interdite” devoted to the rise of radical Islam, Ophélie Meunier was placed under police protection.
An investigation was opened for death threats against the journalist of “Restricted zoneOphélie Meunier, placed under police protection after threats for a report on Islamism, we learned Monday, February 7 from the Nanterre prosecutor’s office requested by AFP.
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The investigations were entrusted to the Brigade for the repression of delinquency against the person at the end of January, after the complaint lodged at the police station in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts-de-Seine) by Ophélie Meunier on January 26. The journalist presented on January 23 an issue of “Restricted zonedevoted to the rise of radical Islam, particularly in Roubaix, arousing strong reactions on social networks and threats.
Among the most striking images: the sale of faceless dolls in a Muslim store in Roubaix (the saleswoman ensuring that Islam forbade the representation of human features) or young girls veiled and separated from boys in a private school in Marseille. Some saw in it a faithful and alarming description of the rise of Islamism, others an alarmist and stigmatizing presentation of all Muslims.
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After receiving these threats, Ophélie Meunier and a young man from Roubaix, Amine Elbahi, a witness on the show and who denounced the rise of Islamism, were placed under police protection. “What I said disturbs. I must have aimed right under the threats“Amine Elbahi told AFP. In Paris, an investigation was opened Friday of the leaders of malicious telephone calls and death threats against this Roubaisien, indicated to AFP the parquet floor of Paris. This one entrusted the investigations to the Central office of fight against crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes (OCLCH)
Since the broadcast of the report, journalistic companies (SDJ) and media in their own name, such as France Télévisions, have given their support to Ophélie Meunier. Like the magazines L’Express or Le Point, Le Monde devoted an editorial to the case last week. He points out the danger that these threats pose to “freedom of expression and information“. “I want, on behalf of the entire government, to extend our full supportto Ophelie Meunier, reacted for her part the Minister Delegate for Citizenship, Marlène Schiappa, before the National Assembly and the Senate.
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