The short video clip went viral on social media. In these pictures captured by Le Républicain LorrainNational Rally deputy Laurent Jacobelli insults his Renaissance colleague and also Moselle deputy, Belkhir Belhaddad.
“Is Hamas okay? », Attacks the first in particular. “Above all, no threats, above all, don’t threaten me,” retorts the second, before the dialogue becomes heated. “You speak to me differently, I’ll tell you right away. Scum! […] Don’t act like a scumbag,” says Jacobelli. A term that Belhaddad does not fail to note, conscious of being filmed from behind. “Don’t act like a scumbag!” It’s good that the press knows about it…”
After these invectives on the sidelines of a trip by Olivier Véran to Hayange, the Renaissance deputy filed a complaint against his colleague RN. Two legal actions were taken, explained his lawyer, Me Xavier Iochum. The Thionville public prosecutor was seized by the government via “article 40″ on the basis of incitement to racial hatred”. Belkhir Belhaddad himself filed a complaint, via his lawyer, on Friday, the day of the altercation, by referring the matter to the prosecutor for “insults and defamation against a member of Parliament”.
” Verbal violence “
“I accompanied Olivier Véran, and I was in a (tricolor) scarf. It is therefore as a deputy that I am filing a complaint and that this verbal violence was addressed,” raised Mr. Belhaddad. The term “scum”, repeated twice against the deputy by Laurent Jacobelli, constitutes “a double insult”, according to the lawyer. And the question asked by the elected RN: “Is Hamas doing well? “constitutes “implicit” defamation, continues Me Xavier Iochum. “If we take things literally, apparently Belkhir Belhaddad is talking directly with Hamas, he can give them news,” he explains.
From now on, the prosecutor must decide what action to take. But “in the informational context in which we are at the moment, justice cannot act as if this type of social debate does not interest it”, and should initiate proceedings, according to the council.
“I did not make any derogatory remarks towards Laurent Jacobelli,” insisted the Renaissance MP. Mr. Belhaddad had already filed a complaint last year following racist and hateful comments on social networks. The case is still ongoing.