**PARIS/ISTANBUL**
Pro-Palestinian activist Elias d’Imzalene, who received a five-month suspended prison sentence for using "intifada" during a rally in France, said he became aware that his case was politically motivated when he was questioned about his religious and political views during an interrogation.
Former Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin lodged a criminal complaint with the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office on Sept. 10 against d’Imzalene, citing his use of intifada" in a speech on the Gaza Strip during a protest Sept. 8.
Following the complaint, the Paris Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation on charges of "incitement to hatred or violence." As part of the inquiry, d’Imzalene was summoned for questioning on Sept. 24 and taken into custody on the same day.
After being held for 48 hours, he was released under judicial supervision. On Oct. 23, he appeared in court, facing charges of "public incitement to hatred or violence."
On Dec. 19, the court sentenced him to a five-month suspended prison term and ordered him to pay compensation to Jewish associations that had filed the complaint.
"Intifada," which translates to uprising, resistance, or rebellion in Arabic, is historically linked to Palestinian uprisings in 1987-1993 and 2000-2005.
\- ‘At that moment, I realized … it was a political case’
D’Imzalene told Anadolu he had been peacefully expressing his concerns about the situation in Gaza when he used "intifada" during the protest.
Emphasizing that the protest’s central message was "fair and lasting peace," he asserted that there was no intent to incite violence. “Not even a single word like 'Jews', 'Zionists' or 'Israelis' was used.”
He argued that "intifada" had been misinterpreted and pointed out that the protest also included anti-colonial Jewish activists who opposed events in Gaza.
D'Imzalene claimed that "a plot has been devised against me from the very beginning," explaining that local journalists initially focused on the case, which was later picked up by far-right groups.
He noted that he became the target of a coordinated media campaign and faced an accelerated judicial process, with major French news outlets repeatedly bringing attention to the case.
“I was summoned for interrogation by the police within three weeks and brought to court the following month. This is unprecedented. Normally, such trials take at least a year. In my case, I believe they sped things up to set an example."
He also revealed that during interrogation, prosecutors questioned him about his views on Palestine and France, as well as his religious and political beliefs.
“At that moment, I realized it wasn’t about judging a word -- it was a political case,” he said. "The word used was 'intifada,' which has been used by all political leaders in France at Palestinian-related demonstrations for the past 20 years. The real issue was targeting a Muslim because of my appearance and my Muslim identity, I was criticized for damaging President Emmanuel Macron's image.”
\- Trap questions
D’Imzalene stated that he initially faced serious legal charges, including a possible 15-year prison sentence for allegedly undermining France’s fundamental interests, which was later reduced to a potential five-year term for "inciting violence."
"When I was detained, I did not provide the answers they wanted during interrogation. They asked me trap questions, but I responded as someone who is pro-justice and peace, and advocates for the freedom of Palestine."
He explained that most charges against him were dismissed, leaving only the accusation of "hate speech against a group." However, he noted that the court never identified which specific group was being referenced.
"We told the court it was unusual to reach a verdict without specifying the 'group' in question. Normally, such vagueness would invalidate a case."
He asserted that legal procedures were being bypassed to maintain pressure on individuals who advocate for justice and speak out against the situation in Gaza. D’Imzalene has appealed the court’s ruling, which also imposed a €10,000 ($10863) fine.
He maintained that, despite efforts by the state and media, the court’s decision helped preserve his reputation. "They wanted to imprison me, chain me, but I am free."
\- ‘Death threats on social media’
"While I speak out against Islamophobia and the genocide in Gaza, some people on social media are inciting hatred and threatening to kill me. While the genocide continues, those involved in the massacre in Gaza are walking freely in the streets of France," he said.
He accused the French government of being "complicit in genocide" by supplying weapons to Israel while simultaneously targeting those who oppose events in Gaza.
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