Rima Hassan, Rising Star of La France Insoumise, Questioned by Police Over Alleged “Apology for Terrorism”

Rima Hassan, Rising Star of La France Insoumise, Questioned by Police Over Alleged “Apology for Terrorism”

Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian lawyer and prominent figure within La France insoumise (LFI), was questioned by the French judicial police on Wednesday, April 17, 2025. The investigation concerns accusations of “apology for terrorism” related to comments she made between November and December 2023. In these remarks, she reportedly described the actions of Hamas as “legitimate.”

Hassan has strongly rejected these accusations, arguing that her statements were taken out of context. She explained that the video clip circulating online was misleading and that investigators had access to the full interview, which provided a clearer understanding of her views.

LFI has condemned the police procedure, calling it a politically motivated attempt to intimidate voices critical of the ongoing violence in Gaza. The party emphasized that Hassan had explicitly condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks as terrorism from the very start, expressing the moral unacceptability of celebrating civilian deaths on either side of the conflict.

This police questioning comes amid growing political tensions, with the European Parliament elections set for June 2024. Hassan is listed as the 7th candidate on Manon Aubry’s LFI slate. Despite the investigation, Hassan expressed her calm and willingness to cooperate fully with authorities, while criticizing the political pressures aimed at restricting her freedom of speech.

The case has sparked wider discussions about the application of France’s laws on “apology for terrorism,” with legal experts and human rights organizations raising concerns about their potential to curtail political expression and freedom of speech, particularly in the context of sensitive geopolitical issues.

Sources:

• Le Monde (source)

• La France Insoumise (source)

• Le Monde, April 19, 2024 (source)