Questions persist over prosecution of radical-left French MEP Rima Hassan for 'condoning terrorism'

The alleged discovery of drugs in the handbag of Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament for the radical-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party and prominent pro-Palestinian activist, has made headlines in France. But this controversy has overshadowed the main issue of the case against her: a tweet quoting the words of a Japanese terrorist jailed over the massacre of 26 people at an Israeli airport in 1972. The MEP will stand trial in July for “condoning terrorism”, with LFI attacking what it calls “judicial and political persecution”. Some see it as part of an attempt to “silence” pro-Palestinian activists.