News Headlines, English News, Today Headlines, Top Stories | Arth Parkash

French First Lady Brigitte Macron has filed a case against four individuals accused of harassing her online. The accused are set to face trial in Paris next year. The charges stem from online disinformation and offensive comments targeting her gender, age, and relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Brigitte Macron, 71, and Emmanuel Macron, 46, have been subjected to public scrutiny, especially because of their 24-year age gap. Disinformation about her gender has circulated for years, with baseless claims alleging she is transgender and accusing her of assuming a false identity. These rumors, fueled by conspiracy theorists and far-right groups, have spread online, including to the United States.

Trial dates and legal proceedings

Brigitte Macron lodged her complaint in August, leading authorities to investigate cyber harassment and incitement to commit an offense. The trial is scheduled for October 2025. Among the accused is Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, a publicist known online as "Zoe Sagan," who has connections to conspiracy theory circles. Poirson-Atlan’s lawyer criticized the charges, calling them politically motivated.

ALSO READ: South Korean opposition parties file new motion to impeach President Yoon

ALSO READ: Bangladesh Court declines request to expedite bail hearing of arrested Hindu Monk Chinmoy Das

This case follows a recent French court ruling where two women were ordered to pay €8,000 in damages to Macron for falsely claiming she was transgender. Prosecutors believe such disinformation fuels hate and personal attacks, creating an unsafe online environment.

Broader issues of online harassment

The “secretly trans” narrative is a longstanding tool of online gender-based violence. A report from 2021 highlighted how such narratives are used to demean and attack women, particularly those in the public eye. Brigitte Macron is not the only victim of such harassment. French DJ Barbara Butch, who performed at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, also faced death threats online. Her case will go to trial in September next year.

The accused in both cases could face up to two years in prison if convicted. Despite the threats, victims like Butch have vowed to continue their work, speaking out against hate and harassment. This ongoing issue sheds light on the urgent need to address online abuse globally.