Magistrate faces threats after legal dispute

Youssef Badr, a magistrate in Bobigny and author, has become the target of threats and attacks following a legal dispute with the far-right magazine Frontières. His publisher, Éditions de l'Aube, has called on booksellers to mobilize in support of Badr, whose book Pour une justice aux 1000 visages : Le mythe français de l'égalité des chances was published in September 2025.

Publisher condemns campaign against author

The publisher's director general, Manon Viard, condemned the campaign against Badr and emphasized the importance of defending the values of diversity, pluralism, inclusion, and respect that he represents. The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into cyberbullying and threats against Badr.

Book explores legal profession and inequality

Badr's book, published in the collection La Société du compromis, directed by former general secretary of the CFDT Laurent Berger, combines personal narrative with reflection on inequalities in access to legal professions. As a son of Moroccan immigrants, Badr recounts his journey to the judiciary, the obstacles he faced, and the prejudices he encountered.

Book questions meritocracy and advocates for inclusion

The book questions the republican promise of meritocracy and advocates for better representation of French society within the institutions responsible for administering justice. Badr also founded La Courte Échelle, an association that supports students, particularly those from modest backgrounds, by connecting them with legal professionals.

Legal dispute with far-right magazine dates back to 2026

The controversy with Frontières dates back to 18 June 2026, when Badr presided over a trial that condemned Erik Tegnér, director of Frontières, to six months in prison with a suspended sentence and 10,000 euros in fines. The case involved the publication by Frontières of an issue dedicated to immigration, which named lawyers specializing in foreign law as responsible for a supposed "migrant invasion."

Controversy resurfaces in October 2026

The controversy resumed in mid-October 2026 when Frontières published an issue dedicated to Badr, whose portrait occupied the cover, accompanied by the mentions "Political Justice" and "The Enigma of Youssef Badr." The magazine revisited past speeches, social media posts, and media appearances by the judge, criticizing his positions in favor of diversity and the fight against discrimination.

Judicial leaders express concern

On 15 October, Jacques Boulard, first president of the Paris court of appeal, expressed his "very strong concern" regarding the attacks targeting Badr, which he considers "unprecedented and very worrying" in their extent and persistence. He recalled that the freedom to criticize a court decision cannot justify a personal attack on the magistrate who rendered it.

Government and judicial bodies respond

The Higher Council of the Judiciary also warned of a risk of destabilization of the judicial institution. Anne Auclair-Rabinovitch, president of the Bobigny court, told AFP that a democratic justice cannot function if its judges fear retaliation for having performed their duties. On 15 October, the Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin announced that he personally called Badr to offer his support.

Investigation into cyberbullying launched

The following day, the Paris prosecutor announced the opening of an investigation into cyberbullying, following a new wave of messages targeting Badr. The investigations, entrusted to the Central Office for Combating Hate Crimes, concern in particular alleged facts of online harassment of a racist or religious nature and threats of death or attacks on property directed against a public authority representative.

Publisher calls for solidarity

Manon Viard, the director general of Éditions de l'Aube, emphasized the importance of solidarity in the face of these attacks coming from the far right, stating that the responsibility of defending an author should not stop at the publication of his book. She concluded that Badr should not feel alone in the face of this, and no one should have to feel alone in the face of this.