France detains journalist amid crackdown on voices supporting Palestine

Recent arrests highlight selective enforcement of free speech laws, used primarily to target support for Palestine

PARIS (MNTV) – French authorities have sparked fresh controversy with the April 22 detention of Shahin Hazamy, an independent journalist known for his outspoken support of Palestine. 

Hazamy was reportedly taken from his home in Paris in front of his family, accused of supporting terrorism—a charge rights groups argue is increasingly used against pro-Palestine advocates.

Although Hazamy was released shortly after his arrest, his detention follows a troubling pattern, underscored by the ongoing imprisonment of Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian academic. 

Arrested on February 28, Esfandiari has spent nearly two months in Fresnes prison, far from her home in Lyon.

Esfandiari, a linguist and university lecturer, faces charges of “public defense of terrorism” and “online provocation of terrorism,” allegedly based on social media posts critical of Israel. 

Her family and supporters have criticized French authorities for denying her contact with the outside world and withholding details about her case.

These arrests have drawn comparisons to that of Iranian filmmaker Bashir Biazar, who was detained last year over similar allegations. 

Advocates argue that the French government’s actions represent a selective application of free speech, defending Islamophobic publications like Charlie Hebdo while criminalizing pro-Palestine activism.

Human rights experts contend that France’s crackdown reflects political priorities rather than a commitment to human rights. 

By targeting dissenting voices and suppressing pro-Palestine advocacy, they argue, the government undermines its own claims of championing freedom of expression.