Prosecutors argued that Chnina and others contributed to a climate of hate through online rhetoric, which incited violence and ultimately led to Paty's murder.

On December 20, 2024, France's anti-terrorism court convicted eight individuals for their involvement in the 2020 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty, who was murdered after showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed during a class discussion.

The murder was perpetrated by 18-year-old Islamist radical Abdoullakh Anzorov, following a public campaign against Paty initiated by Brahim Chnina, a student's father who falsely accused the teacher of misconduct.

Despite the defendants claiming ignorance of Anzorov's intentions, the court ruled that their actions constituted a criminal association with terrorist motives.

The trial, which began in November 2024, highlighted the role of social media in escalating tensions, particularly through Chnina's inflammatory messages that targeted Paty.

The defendants faced various charges, including aiding the perpetrator and organizing an online hate campaign, with some receiving sentences ranging from one to 16 years.

Paty's sister voiced concerns over the prosecution's demands, fearing they were too lenient and that her brother's death might be in vain.

The case underscored how misinformation, stemming from a false claim by a schoolgirl, escalated into a violent incident, revealing the dangerous influence of social media.

The verdicts were met with strong emotions in a packed courtroom, with families of the victims expressing relief while relatives of the accused reacted with shock and anger.

While some defendants expressed regret, Paty's family found their apologies insufficient, emphasizing a lack of accountability for the events leading to the murder.

The trial lasted seven weeks, during which the prosecution faced criticism from Paty's family for perceived leniency in the requested sentences.

The court's decision is seen as a significant step in addressing extremism and reflects a commitment to combat Islamic terrorism in the wake of Paty's brutal murder.