Women Press Freedom supports the journalists’ decision to appeal the ruling.

Location: France, Paris

Date: March 22, 2024

Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with French freelance journalists Céline Martelet and Édith Bouvier, who are harassed online — including being sent death threats — after being handed ten and twelve months of suspended imprisonment by the Paris Court of First Instance in a terrorism-related case. We strongly denounce the unfair conviction and online harassment suffered by Martelet and Bouvier. We call for a comprehensive investigation into the threats they faced and for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions.

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Céline Martelet and Édith Bouvier were sentenced on March 22 for allegedly transferring funds to jihadists. The journalists, recognized for their investigative reports on French women who joined ISIS, were convicted of providing funds to assist in the extraction of French women associated with ISIS in Syria or Iraq, and for their involvement in a failed operation to rescue jihadist Maximilien Thibaut. 

The journalists, who have contributed to various media outlets, including Médiapart, received sentences of 10 and 12 months with a suspended sentence, respectively.

Martelet and Bouvier acknowledged surpassing professional boundaries during the trial but maintained their actions were motivated by a humanitarian intent to save lives, not to support terrorism. The journalists explained the funds sent were a means to save lives, notably that of Mélina Boughedir. In mid-2017, Boughedir, a jihadist, found herself trapped in the conflict in Mosul, Iraq, with her four children facing starvation.

Following the court's decision, Martelet and Bouvier have been targeted with online harassment, including insults and death threats on various social media platforms.  The journalists have stated their intentions to appeal the court's ruling.

On March 29, 2024, the Association of the Judicial Press (APJ) reiterated its steadfast backing for the presumption of innocence and warned against cyberbullying overshadowing the quest for justice. 

Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Céline Martelet and Édith Bouvier as they endure cyber-harassment following their sentencing to ten and twelve months of suspended imprisonment in a terrorism-related case by the Paris Court of First Instance. We vehemently denounce the online harassment faced by Martelet and Bouvier. We support their decision to appeal the conviction and demand a thorough investigation into the threats they have encountered and the accountability of those responsible for the threats against them. 

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.