Controversial Rap Song Sparks Investigation Amid French Student Protests
A rap song referencing jihadists involved in deadly attacks in France appeared in videos during student protests at a French high school and a church. The track, “MRH” by rapper BORO700, mentions Mohamed Merah, who killed a teacher and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse in 2012, and Salah Abdeslam, convicted for his role in the November 2015 Paris attacks. The lyrics also reference the Bataclan concert hall, where 90 people were killed.
One video shows students singing the track at François-Villon high school in Beaugency, Loiret region, during a school blockade on October 1. The students are heard shouting lyrics translated as: “Like Mohamed Merah, dodging the cameras,” and “Bataclan, I shot him with my eyes, manhunt, Salah Abdeslam.” The Orléans prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation into suspected “apology for terrorism,” with three minors placed in police custody on October 7.
The investigation focuses on the song’s lyrics, without establishing students’ intentions. Another video features the song inside Saint-Hilaire church in Soullans on October 4, unrelated to the protests. The municipality urged residents not to share the footage, warning of possible exposure and tension. Soullans’ Mayor Vincent Jolly emphasized the young people’s likely misunderstanding of their actions’ impact and meanings, calling for an “educational, thoughtful and proportionate” response.
Rapper BORO700 faces charges in a Paris court on October 21, including apology for terrorism and conditional death threats, as reported by Le Parisien. This case is separate from the student videos investigation.
The History Behind the References
The song’s references have drawn public attention. Mohamed Merah, a French citizen of Algerian origin, executed jihadist attacks in 2012, resulting in seven deaths. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy stated, “The Islamic faith has nothing to do with the insane motivations of this man.” Known for filming his attacks, Merah’s actions involved extremist content. Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving member of the ISIS cell responsible for the Paris attacks in 2015, was involved in atrocities that took 130 lives, leaving 490 injured. The Bataclan, a historic theater, was the site of the deadliest attack.
Lines in the song also refer to a bounty in hell and challenge another rapper, using challenging language that’s difficult to translate accurately. The mentions of Merah, Abdeslam, and the Bataclan are explicit.
Protests Have Wider Grievances
These videos emerged amid high school protests across France since September 28, leading to numerous school closures. Students voice issues with funding, staffing shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure. During protests, acts of setting fires, creating barricades, assaulting teachers, and clashing with police were reported. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused the La France Insoumise party of inciting chaos before the presidential elections.
The videos alone don’t indicate alignment between the broader protest movement and the song’s references, yet they have stirred political discussions.
Trump Weighs In on France’s Protests
Amid the nationwide student protests in France, politically charged debates ensued. Some social-media platforms framed the protests as a statement on immigration and political change in the West. Former President Donald Trump commented on Truth Social, attributing the unrest to “out-of-control mass migration,” without providing evidence. Trump’s remarks reflect previous critiques of Europe’s immigration policies.
The French government countered external narratives. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot informed a parliamentary committee of efforts to provide France’s perspective. He emphasized the importance of establishing the nation’s narrative to counter other interpretations.