The trial for the attack in Nice on July 14 will start on September 5. In the run-up to the first hearing, Christian Estrosi reported on “shameful postings referring to the attack in Nice” that were allegedly “spread on social networks”, as he denounced on Twitter. The mayor of Nice posted one of these invectives against the fatalities. He posted: “Nissa merdaaaaa – 80 fachos disparus” (Nissa merdaaaaa – 80 fascists shot).
Christian Estrosi announced that he would ” bring in the public prosecutor” after these kind of statements. “I appeal to the responsibility of the social networks. I consider the victims and their relatives,” said the mayor of Côte d’Azur. According to his first deputy, Anthony Borré, told BFM Côte d’Azur, Olympique Marseille fans were the perpetrators of such statements. He also denounced the act: “It’s disgusting. It is time to put an end to anonymity on social networks. Eternal respect for the victims and their families”.
Such statements come just a few days before the start of the trial for the July 14 attack. Eight defendants are due to appear before Paris’ special jury court in connection with the attack, which took place on the Promenade des Anglais in 2016 and killed 86 people and injured more than 400. The perpetrator, a 31-year-old Tunisian named Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlelqui, will not stand trial. On the evening of July 14, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlelqui was shot dead by police after firing at the security forces himself. He had just driven a 19-tonne truck into the crowd that had gathered on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice to watch the fireworks.