Paris Court Hears Case Against Five Men Accused of Cyberbullying DJ Barbara Butch
Trial Following Surge of Online Harassment
Five men, aged between 24 and 57, stood trial before the Paris judicial court, accused of participating in an orchestrated cyberbullying campaign against renowned French DJ Barbara Butch. The artist, a prominent figure in the Paris LGBTQ+ nightlife community, became the target of a torrent of online abuse, including threats and slurs, shortly after performing at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Cyber Abuses Erupt After Olympic Performance
The alleged harassment occurred between July 26 and July 30, 2024, mere days following the high-profile Olympic ceremony. In addition to general online abuse, some defendants face specific charges for issuing threats through social media and other digital platforms. All five men are being prosecuted for their roles in what prosecutors describe as a “coordinated digital hate campaign.”
Controversial Performance Spurs Backlash
Barbara Butch’s performance took place on the Debilly footbridge over the Seine, in a visually symbolic show titled “Festivité.” She was joined onstage by drag performers, fashion models, and French singer Philippe Katerine, who appeared painted entirely in blue and partially undressed. While the performance was intended as a celebration of inclusivity and artistic diversity, it drew ire from conservative and far-right groups. Critics compared the staging to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, accusing it of mocking religious themes.
In response to the backlash, ceremony creator Thomas Jolly dismissed any notion of religious offense, explaining that the performance was conceived as “a grand pagan celebration inspired by the gods of Olympus” and not intended as a satire of sacred traditions.
Thousands of Online Attacks Spark Legal Action
In the days following the performance, Barbara Butch was inundated with widespread harassment on various social media channels. Within 72 hours, she reported the incidents to French law enforcement. An openly lesbian DJ and advocate for feminist and LGBTQ+ rights, Butch later addressed the attacks in an emotional Instagram post, calling the harassment “an especially brutal form of cyberbullying targeting both my identity and visibility.”
Her lawyer, Audrey Msellati, told AFP that Butch represents “a powerful message of resilience and the unyielding right to occupy public space without apology.”
Trial Aims to Set a Legal and Social Precedent
Barbara Butch is personally attending the proceedings, seeing them as a vital platform to raise public awareness about the real-world consequences of online abuse. Her legal team highlighted the emotional and psychological toll of digital harassment—often dismissed as harmless or invisible when it occurs behind screens. The trial is seen as a symbolic stand against cyberbullying, with hopes that it will serve as a deterrent and spark broader conversations around digital accountability.
Other Creatives Targeted in Aftermath
Barbara Butch was not the only victim of hate stemming from the Olympic performance. Artistic director Thomas Jolly also received threatening messages following the global broadcast of his work. In a related but separate case concluded in May, seven individuals were sentenced to fines and suspended prison terms for their roles in online harassment connected to the same event.