# France is criminalizing critics of Islam — instead of the rioters destroying their cities

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/france-is-criminalizing-critics-of-islam-instead-of-the-rioters-destroying-their-cities/
- Published: 2026-11-11T19:49:53+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T20:26:09+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/11/opinion/french-author-michel-houellebecq-charged-with-hate-crime-for-criticizing-islam/
- Topics: Europe, World

## Key points

- Michel Houellebecq faces a charge over comments made in a 2022 interview.
- His lawyers say the remarks did not incite violence.
- The article cites extensive damage and injuries during unrest in France.

## Summary

Michel Houellebecq, a prominent French novelist, has been charged with complicity in inciting discrimination, hatred or violence over remarks criticising Islam and immigration in a 2022 interview. The article argues that prosecuting him criminalises political speech while failing to prioritise violent unrest; this is the author’s interpretation of events.

The complaint was brought by the Union of Mosques of France and the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Between Peoples, and also names the interviewer and magazine director. Houellebecq’s lawyers say his remarks did not incite violence and warn against turning intellectual debate into litigation. The article reports more than €1 billion in insured property damage, over 1,000 police officers injured and nearly 2,500 businesses damaged on 17 October, as well as a fire that destroyed Limoges’ historic city hall.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.