Starting this Monday, four men born in Moldova will appear in French court for creating tags depicting coffins in reference to the Ukraine conflict. This case fits into a broader pattern of foreign interferences using paid 'proxies' since late 2023. Algerian, Russian, or Iranian services are involved in several such instances.
Since late 2023, several cases of state terrorism or foreign interference in France have involved Algerian, Russian, or Iranian intelligence services. These entities rely on delinquents or paid collaborators, often for a handful of euros, to carry out destabilizing actions. A concrete example is the trial starting this Monday at the Paris judicial court: four men born in Moldova are accused of creating tags depicting coffins, referencing the Ukraine conflict.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated during the solemn return of the judicial court that '2026 will be the year of foreign interference in France.' National anti-terrorism prosecutor Olivier Christen followed suit, mentioning the return of state terrorism, which he describes as 'the other, more violent side of foreign interference.' These concepts, though close for laypeople, are clearly distinguished by justice professionals.
A circular dated January 21, 2026, recalls the boundaries between interference and state terrorism, as well as judicial competencies. It is based on two main laws: the one from July 25, 2024, which creates a specific offense to address the weakness of prosecutions for low-level degradations, and the one from March 23, 2019. These measures aim to adapt the legal framework to these hybrid threats, where minor actors serve as intermediaries for foreign powers.
