Teens on trial for complicity in French teacher's brutal killing

Six teenagers are to be tried for their involvement in the brutal murder of French teacher Samuel Paty, who was beheaded by an 18-year-old radical Islamist in 2020. The crime sent shockwaves not only across France but also globally.

Six teenagers, implicated in the horrifying murder of Samuel Paty, a French history teacher from Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, are set to appear in court on Monday, according to Reuters. On October 16, 2020, Paty was beheaded outside a school in the Paris suburbs by a radical Islamist of Chechen origin. The perpetrator was subsequently killed by police shortly after the attack. The event shocked the world at the time.

The motive behind the murder was Paty's lesson on freedom of speech, during which he had showcased the caricatures of the prophet Muhammad published in the French satirical weekly magazine, "Charlie Hebdo". Within the Muslim community, any form of ridicule or mockery of the prophet is considered offensive and blasphemous.

A 15-year-old girl who falsely informed her parents that Paty had shown the caricatures in her class is also due to stand trial. During the subsequent investigation, it was established that she was not present at school that day. She will be tried on charges of making false allegations. The remaining five teenagers are accused of conspiracy and complicity. They are suspected of having identified the teacher to the assailant and monitoring his movements as he left the school premises. All six defendants have been referred to a juvenile court and face potential incarceration for 2.5 years.

Reuters indicates that the hearings, scheduled to continue until December 8, will take place in private. Additionally, eight adults are also expected to face trial in a criminal court.