Summary

Eight people were convicted in France for their roles in the 2020 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty, killed after showing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad during a free expression lesson.

Convictions included aiding the attacker, a Chechen-Russian teen shot by police, and leading an online hate campaign. Sentences ranged up to 16 years.

The case highlighted France’s commitment to free speech and secularism but drew criticism from Paty’s family over downgraded charges and defendants’ lack of accountability.

The attack followed global protests and threats linked to caricatures republished by Charlie Hebdo.