A 12-year-old boy was convicted of promoting acts of terrorism in Montbéliard, Doubs, in eastern France, on Wednesday, according to Agence France Press (AFP).
Paul-Edouard Lallois, the Montbéliard prosecutor, revealed that the boy had downloaded over 1,700 jihadist propaganda and massacre videos since December 2023.
The videos were shared through encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram and Discord, on which the boy participated in discussions related to radical Islamism.
During a closed-door hearing before a children’s judge, the boy admitted to being indoctrinated and acknowledged his wrongdoing.
Prosecutor Lallois observed that the child, possessed significant vulnerabilities and exhibited a distinct understanding of the inappropriate nature of his actions.
The boy who resides with his mother in Sochaux, Doubs, was described as a reserved, introverted individual lacking any notable or disruptive behavior at school.
The defendant has been diagnosed with developmental delays and language impairments, which the prosecutor asserts provided fertile ground for radicalization.
Due to the boy’s age, he is not subject to imprisonment but instead will undergo therapy and is to remain in a collective facility. These measures are to be noted on the boy’s criminal record.