The April 16 ruling imposed fines on seven Moldovan nationals for graffiti depicting coffins labeled French soldiers in Ukraine. The court dismissed demoralization charges against the defendants.
In Paris on April 16, a court ruled in the case of graffiti depicting coffins and the inscription “French soldiers in Ukraine”; seven Moldovan citizens were fined for these actions.
The images appeared in June 2024 and were later seen on the walls of the French National Assembly buildings.
Five of the defendants were fined 1,000 euros each, one was fined 7,000 euros, and the organizer was fined 10,000 euros.
The prosecutor described these acts as “serious offenses” and sought for the defendants a prison term of 18 months to three years for “participation in the demoralization of the army with the aim of harming national defense.” However, the court acquitted them on that exact charge.
Context of the Incident and Its Consequences
The case was considered in a broader context of suspected foreign influence in France: in public discourse, provocations related to other graffiti and symbols were discussed.
In June 2024, graffiti appeared on the parliament buildings: initially there were stencil coffins with the inscription “French soldiers in Ukraine.” About two weeks later, similar graffiti also appeared on the buildings of the AFP agency and Le Figaro in central Paris; among the images were stencil drawings of airplanes with the captions “Dreams for Ukraine” and “Mirages for Ukraine.”
The context of the case is viewed as part of the discussion about possible external influence on public opinion and the country’s security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova also announced that it condemned the participation of its citizens in organizing an anti-Ukrainian provocation in Paris.
This case has become one of the examples in the discussion about foreign influence and accountability for such actions, raising questions about external interference and protecting national security.