Frenchman convicted for running Al Qaeda website

Published March 5, 2014
An illustration picture shows a projection of binary code around the shadow of a man holding a laptop computer in an office in Warsaw June 24, 2013. — Reuters Photo
An illustration picture shows a projection of binary code around the shadow of a man holding a laptop computer in an office in Warsaw June 24, 2013. — Reuters Photo

PARIS: A Paris court has sentenced a Frenchman to a year in prison for operating what prosecutors described as an al Qaeda propaganda website, the first conviction under a 2012 law outlawing "cyberjihad."

The Paris prosecutor's office said Wednesday that Romain Letellier was convicted Tuesday night of defending and promoting terrorism. He was given a one-year prison term plus a two-year suspended sentence.

The 2012 law was aimed at toughening anti-terrorism measures after a young radical Islamic gunman attacked a Jewish school as part of a rampage that killed seven people.

The 27-year-old Letellier has been jailed since his arrest in September in the Calvados region of Normandy. Letellier said he never intended to incite anyone to violence. No attacks are linked to the site he managed.

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.