French MEP Rima Hassan Held Over ‘Terror Apology’ Post

French MEP Rima Hassan of the far-left La France insoumise (LFI) was placed in police custody in Paris on Thursday over alleged “apology of terrorism,” according to France Télévisions.

Hassan presented herself voluntarily at the headquarters of the regional judicial police as part of an investigation led by the national online hate control unit.

The case relates to a message she posted on X on March 26 referencing Kozo Okamoto, a member of the Japanese Red Army involved in a deadly 1972 attack in Israel. The post has since been deleted. The European Jewish Observatory confirmed it filed a complaint the same day.

During her custody, a small quantity of synthetic drugs was reportedly found in her bag, according to a source close to the investigation cited by Franceinfo. Hassan told investigators she had purchased CBD in Brussels and claimed the substance had been given to her without her knowledge. Her detention was subsequently extended to include alleged offences of transport, possession, and use of narcotics, as well as refusal to comply with identification procedures.

This is not the first time the 33-year-old pro-Palestinian activist has faced legal scrutiny. Since late 2023, she has been under judicial investigation for alleged “apology of terrorism” after statements interpreted as support for Hamas following the October 7 attack on Israel.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of LFI, condemned the detention, calling it “political police” and suggesting parliamentary immunity was no longer being respected.