Paris prosecutors investigate death threats against judge who sentenced Sarkozy

Saturday 27 September 2025 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Paris prosecutors investigate death threats against judge who sentenced Sarkozy

The Paris prosecutor’s office has initiated two investigations following an alarming wave of threats directed at the judge who sentenced former president Nicolas Sarkozy to prison. These hostile messages began circulating online just one day after Sarkozy received a five-year prison term for illegal campaign financing tied to alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign. The court also ordered his immediate incarceration.

Threats targeting a judge

The Union syndicale des magistrats (USM) reported multiple disturbing posts on social media, including death threats and warnings of violent attacks against the magistrate. Unauthorized publication of her photograph accompanied these threats, heightening concerns. Aurélien Martini, deputy secretary general of the USM, expressed the union’s deep concern over the escalation of such intimidation against judicial authorities.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that the case has been handed over to France’s National Center for Combating Online Hate. While specific details about the investigations remain undisclosed, officials reminded the public that death threats against public officials carry a possible five-year prison sentence. Repeated acts of cyberharassment are punishable by up to two years in prison and a €30,000 fine.

Online harassment and legal risks

Authorities emphasized that sharing personal information about public officials with malicious intent constitutes a criminal offense. Such actions can lead to penalties of up to five years in prison and fines as high as €75,000. Officials stressed that in a democratic society, disputes over judicial decisions must follow proper legal channels, not manifest as personal threats or online intimidation campaigns.

Political backlash and parallels with previous cases

Sarkozy has denounced his conviction as politically motivated, calling it a “political trial.” His sentencing has sparked reactions from some political figures who claim that the judiciary is targeting him out of vengeance. However, the Syndicat de la magistrature (SM), a prominent magistrates' union, has firmly rejected these accusations, warning that such rhetoric undermines judicial independence and fosters hostility toward the judiciary.

This case reflects a broader pattern of threats against judges in France. Similar incidents occurred following Marine Le Pen’s sentencing earlier this year, when judges faced virulent threats requiring police protection. Investigations into such threats have multiplied over the past year, signaling a deeply troubling trend of targeted intimidation against members of the judiciary.