French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan is set to face trial in July after posting a controversial message on social media that prosecutors say could be
interpreted as support for terrorism.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that Hassan, a prominent figure on France’s far-left, was briefly taken into custody on Thursday over a post she published on X on March 26, which has since been deleted. Authorities allege the message may fall under France’s strict laws against the online endorsement of terrorism.
Following her release, Hassan was formally summoned to appear before a criminal court on July 7, 2026. She faces charges of “advocating terrorism online,” an offense that carries penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines reaching €100,000.
The case centers on Hassan’s reference to the 1972 attack at Lod Airport in Tel Aviv, carried out by members of the Japanese Red Army, which left 26 people dead. In her post, Hassan quoted remarks from an individual convicted in connection with the attack, who attempted to justify the violence by citing alleged oppression in Palestinian territories.
Legal complaints were filed by advocacy groups including the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism and the European Jewish Organization, prompting prosecutors to open an investigation.
Hassan and her lawyer, Vincent Brengarth, have said they will address the matter publicly during a press conference, declining immediate comment after her release.
Born in Syria and of Palestinian descent, Hassan, 33, has become a high-profile pro-Palestinian voice in European politics. She was elected to the European Parliament in 2024 as a member of the far-left party France Unbowed, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Mélenchon has denounced the legal proceedings as politically motivated.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez rejected that claim, stating that the law must be upheld regardless of political affiliation. “Apologising for terrorism is a very serious offense,” he said in a televised interview.
Prosecutors also revealed that Hassan is currently under investigation in six additional cases related to alleged hate speech, while 16 prior cases have been dropped.
Separately, authorities reported finding cannabidiol (CBD) and a substance resembling the synthetic drug 3-MMC in her possession at the time of her arrest. These matters are being handled independently. Hassan has denied any wrongdoing, stating that she uses CBD for medical purposes.
Additional context about Rima Hassan
Rima Hassan is one of the newer but highly visible figures in European politics. Before entering the European Parliament, she was widely known for her activism on refugee rights and Palestinian issues. She founded an NGO focused on refugee protection and gained attention for her outspoken positions on Middle East policy, particularly her criticism of Israeli actions.
Her political rise reflects a broader shift within parts of the European left toward more vocal advocacy on international human rights issues. However, her rhetoric has also drawn criticism and legal scrutiny, highlighting the tension in France between free expression and strict laws governing hate speech and terrorism-related content. Photo by AN2303, Wikimedia commons.