Rising Threats Against Judges Spark Alarm in France's Judicial System
December 21, 2024The Superior Council of the Judiciary has raised serious concerns following the emergence of threats against judges and prosecutors.
This growing climate of fear is largely attributed to the rise of organized crime, which has increasingly targeted the judicial community.
Raphaël Balland, vice president of the National Conference of Public Prosecutors, noted that these threats are often facilitated by social media and the anonymity it provides.
Frédéric Macé, president of the French Association of Investigating Judges, emphasized that very few judges remain untouched by threats, particularly those involved in sensitive cases.
Concerns escalated after the indictment of four individuals suspected of plotting a violent attack against a prominent judge in northern France.
Currently, about twenty judges who have received specific threats are under protective measures, as confirmed by the Ministry of Justice.
In September, the prosecutor general of the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal reported an increase in aggressive and threatening statements directed at law enforcement and judicial authorities.
An investigation was initiated following the discovery of graffiti that threatened the public prosecutor of Bastia.
Judges have expressed feelings of insecurity during and after court proceedings, particularly when facing defendants against whom they have just ruled.
In light of these escalating threats, regional court presidents and prosecutors are calling for robust state action to uphold the rule of law.
To address these issues, a task force led by the National Conference of Judicial Court Presidents will assess the situation and propose measures to enhance judicial safety by the end of 2025.
A member of the National Jurisdiction for the Fight Against Organized Crime (Junalco) described a recent prison van attack that resulted in fatalities, further illustrating the violent climate surrounding the judiciary.
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