Judge targeted by attacks

Youssef Badr, a judge in Bobigny, has been the subject of various attacks following the conviction of Erik Tegnér, founder of the identitarian media Frontières, in June. The attacks have intensified since Tegnér’s sentencing, which sparked controversy and debate.

Concern from legal authority

Jacques Boulard, the first president of the Paris court of appeal, expressed "very strong concern" on October 15 about the attacks on Badr. He called them unprecedented and worrying due to their scale, persistence, and the variety of platforms used, especially social networks.

Context of the attacks

Boulard emphasized that while criticizing court decisions is protected under freedom of expression, it should not cross into personal attacks on judges in their professional roles. He did not name Badr directly, though the judge is featured on the cover of the latest Frontières magazine.

Content of the magazine

The magazine’s latest edition, available in kiosks since Wednesday, includes the titles "Political justice" and "The enigma Youssef Badr" beneath his photo. The publication has drawn attention for its focus on Badr and its potential implications for judicial independence.

Tegnér's conviction and reaction

Erik Tegnér was sentenced to six months in prison with probation and a fine of 10,000 euros for disclosing personal data of immigration lawyers in a 2025 investigation by Frontières. He immediately denounced the conviction as "total nonsense" and urged his followers to "mobilize."

Public response and controversy

Tegnér and his supporters, including figures from the far-right movement, had previously criticized Badr’s impartiality on social networks. The judge was attacked as "an openly anti-RN activist," and he has faced numerous racist and Islamophobic comments.

Badr's background and response

Youssef Badr, a former spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, has recently been in the media as president of the association La courte échelle and author of the essay Pour une justice aux 1.000 visages. He posted a two-page response to Frontières, denying claims of being a politicized judge.

Attempts to confront the judge

Badr claimed that representatives from Frontières visited the Bobigny court on Wednesday to "ask for explanations about (his) absence of response to their questions." He warned that the attacks go beyond criticism of judicial decisions and aim to portray him as a dangerous individual.