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April 30, 2025 – Iran/France –
Shahin Hazamy, a French-Iranian freelance journalist known for his pro-Palestinian activism, was detained by French authorities on April 22, 2025. The arrest occurred at his Paris residence, where a team of masked security officers reportedly broke into his home in the early morning hours, arresting him in front of his wife and two young children. Hazamy has been charged with “apologie du terrorisme” (praise of terrorism), a criminal offense in France, due to his social media posts expressing support for Palestinian and Lebanese resistance groups and his condemnation of Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Following his arrest, Hazamy’s journalistic equipment, including his phone, laptop, and even his children’s tablets, was confiscated. Additionally, he has been subjected to a travel ban and is required to report weekly to French authorities. These measures have significantly hindered his ability to continue his journalistic work.
Hazamy has vowed to persist in his advocacy for Palestinian rights despite the challenges he faces. He remains in temporary detention as French judicial authorities continue their investigation into the charges against him. His case has drawn criticism from various human rights organizations and sparked debates about the balance between national security measures and freedom of expression.
This incident is part of a broader trend of increasing scrutiny and legal actions against individuals expressing support for Palestine in France. It raises concerns about the potential misuse of counterterrorism laws to suppress dissent and the impact on press freedom and civil liberties.
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