Two British Nationals Arrested in France for Inciting Hate Against Migrants

French authorities announced on Monday, January 26, the arrest of two British nationals suspected of participating in a banned far-right protest against migrants near Calais. The men, aged 35 and 53, were broadcasting live videos from the French coast when they were taken into custody on Sunday evening, as confirmed by Francois-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais. The arrests were made on charges of inciting hatred and forming a group intended to prepare violent acts based on their social media remarks, Boulogne-sur-Mer Prosecutor Cécile Gressier stated. Notably, these arrests mark the first instance of British far-right activists being apprehended in France for these particular allegations. However, the authorities clarified that the men were not accused of direct violence against individuals. It is expected that the two individuals will be ordered to leave French territory, and they may face placement in an administrative detention center before deportation, where they would be held alongside other migrants awaiting removal from France. They were broadcasting content purportedly inciting hatred through their YouTube channel. The arrests come in the wake of growing tensions in the UK regarding the arrival of Syrian, Iraqi, and Sudanese migrants, with significant discontent surfacing among the far-right factions in Britain. Over the last year, videos of anti-migrant vigilantes have surfaced, showcasing groups attempting to intervene in migrant crossings to France. In response to these rising tensions, French officials recently prohibited an anti-migrant rally dubbed "Operation Overlord," initiated by British far-right activist Daniel Thomas. This controversial name pays homage to the World War II-era operation that led to the Allied invasion of Normandy. On their live broadcasts, the arrested British men expressed a determination to guard the beaches against illegal arrivals, with one stating, "If no one else wants to, I’ll guard the beaches tonight." He further called on fellow Britons to join him in this cause, framing it as a necessary action to prevent illegal crossings. Thomas had previously called for protests in both Dover, England, and northern France, claiming that French authorities were incapable of preventing illegal crossings. He shared images on social media of his activities in France over the weekend. Despite the stir caused by Thomas's actions, he himself has not been arrested according to French prefecture reports. French authorities have labeled Thomas as leading a radical faction within the "Raise the Colours" movement, which emerged following his travel ban to France. While anti-racism advocates contend that British far-right activists are increasingly implicated in hate crimes against migrants, the principal account under the "Raise the Colours" banner has distanced itself from Thomas's recent operations. In October, a preliminary investigation was launched by the French judiciary into aggravated violence against migrants, reported by a rights organization that suspects British far-right involvement, although formal proof remains elusive. As these events unfold, they spotlight the escalating tensions and challenges surrounding migration issues in Europe, amid a broader narrative of far-right responses and discourse surrounding migration. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2