The motion for challenge of a Jewish judge

Alert DateOctober 31, 2012 Country: France Address: Lyon General Type: Racist discourse Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-semitism
Groups affected / Interested in: Ethnic minorities Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Anti-racism Hate speech/Racist Discourse Medium: Internet, Newspaper
Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Victims Gender Male
Victims Age 56-65
Victims Number 1
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin French
Perpetrator Gender Male
Perpetrator Age N/A
Perpetrators Number N/A
Extremist/Organised Group Violence No

On October 31 the Court of Appeal of Lyon received the motion for challenge of the judge founded on the argument that the Jewish origin of the judge will not allow him to be impartial in the case, because the defendant's father is also Jewish.

The judge, Albert Levy, has already been the subject of anti-Semitic attacks, especially from the extreme right parties. The Islamist group Forsane Alizza planned his abduction this summer. The first vice-president of the first instance tribunal in Lyon was then placed under police protection. The motion for challenge was rejected on November 11 and the client of the lawyer was convicted to a civil fine of 750 euros (the highest amount in this case). It was announced that the disciplinary proceedings would be brought against the lawyer.

Sources:

  1. Le Monde, 27.11.2012, La demande de récusation d'un magistrat juif rejetée (The motion for challenge of a Jewish judge refused), http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2012/11/27/la-demande-de-recusation-d-un-magistrat-juif-rejetee_1796723_3224.html, Accessed on 28.11.2012
  2. Liberation, 26.11.2012, Le père de la prévenue s’appelle Moïse et le juge Lévy : inconciliable pour l’avocat (The defendant father’s name is  Moses and the Judge’s name is Levy: irreconcilable for the lawyer), http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2012/11/26/le-pere-de-la-prevenue-s-appelle-moise-et-le-juge-levy-inconciliable-pour-l-avocat_863233, Accessed on 28.11.2012