Europe 1 with AFP 3:14 p.m., September 28, 2022

Patrick K., the computer engineer of Cameroonian origin who cyberharassed journalist Christine Kelly received a 12-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 1,000 euros.

He had notably threatened the presenter of Cnews with "the media scaffold".

“The ax will inevitably fall on your well-made head,” he wrote in particular. 

Twelve months in prison suspended and a fine of 1,000 euros were required Wednesday at the Paris court against a man appearing for cyberharassment against journalist Christine Kelly.

Absent from the hearing and unrepresented, Patrick K., a computer engineer of Cameroonian origin presenting himself as a "writer", had written, in November 2021, an email followed by several messages on the private line of the CNews journalist in threatening her with the "media scaffold".

"The ax will inevitably fall on your well-made head," he threatened.

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"Obsessed" by Christine Kelly

According to the prosecutor, MK's remarks against the journalist were "virulent, insulting, denigrating and humiliating".

MK, 50, was "obsessed" with Christine Kelly, noted the magistrate, recalling that the defendant had published an "open letter" in 2020 posted on social networks where he vehemently attacked the journalist, treating her in particular of "insane potiche", of "white negress", "of" gourd "and" jug ". The facts intervened only one year after the assassination of Professor Samuel Paty, victim of attacks on social networks before "We can therefore understand the terror of Ms. Kelly," noted the prosecutor.

Christine Kelly, absent at the hearing, was "seriously traumatized" by the threats made by MK, said her lawyers Arash Derambarsh and Besma Maghrebi.

She has since been living under police protection.

During his hearings, MK "acknowledged the minimum facts" with a "lack of awareness of having committed an offense", underlined the prosecutor.

The investigation revealed that he had paid a specialized site to obtain the journalist's private telephone number.

"He is a dangerous tracker", animated by "a will to harm", estimated Me Maghrebi.

In her indictment, the prosecutor also asked that the defendant, if convicted, be subject to a "prohibition of contact with his victim for five years" and follow a "citizenship course" to make him aware of the hate online.

The decision is expected on October 5.