Six teenagers in court over beheading of French teacher | World News | Hindustan Times
The French court has convicted six teenagers in connection with the 2020 beheading of history teacher Samuel Paty. The teacher’s murder, prompted by his showing of Prophet Mohammad caricatures in a class on freedom of expression, shocked the nation. A teenage girl falsely accused Paty of asking Muslim pupils to leave the room before displaying the caricatures, leading to her conviction for false accusation charges and slanderous comments. The court found other adolescents guilty of participating in a pre-meditated criminal conspiracy and assisting in preparing an ambush.
The assailant, an 18-year-old of Chechen origin, was shot dead by the police after killing Paty outside his Paris suburb school. The convicted teenagers were also held responsible for pointing out Paty to the murderer. The sentences, perceived as lenient by some, include a 6-month prison sentence, served at home under electronic surveillance, and an 18-month suspended sentence for the girl making false accusations. All six teenagers received suspended sentences tied to strict probation measures lasting two to three years. Despite satisfaction with the convictions, Paty’s sister expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived leniency of the sentences. Another trial involving adults connected to Paty’s killing is scheduled for the end of the next year.
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