Influencer “Paffman” to stand trial in Lille in December – Accused of glorifying rape and murder

Lille – 03.07.2026: The public prosecutor’s office in Lille has confirmed that the influencer known under the pseudonym “Paffman” is scheduled to appear on December 1, 2026 before the Tribunal correctionnel de Lille. According to the authority, the proceedings concern allegations of glorification of rape and of murder. The date was published in a statement by the Parquet that was sent to French media on Friday.

The trigger was a tip to the Pharos reporting center. According to that tip, an intention to carry out a mass killing was expressed in a TikTok livestream. The public prosecutor’s office says a criminal investigation was then opened; the case has been under review for months. Investigations into the same person had already begun at the end of 2025 — also in connection with statements that could be considered criminal glorification of crimes. The authority did not provide details about specific passages of the disputed content or about possible victims. That is customary in view of the ongoing investigations and the protection of privacy.

The office in Lille is headed by public prosecutor Samuel Finielz. The statement emphasizes that the presumption of innocence applies until the court’s decision. At the same time the prosecutor’s office points to the role of platform operators: reports from the internet are regularly forwarded via Pharos to the competent authorities in order to quickly secure potentially criminal content. Pharos is the central platform of the French authorities for reports on hate, terrorist propaganda, sexualized violence against children and other criminally relevant online content.

The case once again fuels debate about how livestreams and ephemeral formats can be moderated. Media law experts point out that the line between permissible, even sharp expression of opinion and criminal glorification of crimes depends in each case on context, reach, and the specific wording. Proceedings of this kind often revolve around the question of whether a statement had to be understood as approval of serious crimes and whether there was a risk of imitation. If convicted, significant fines or prison terms are possible.

Authorities and civil society organizations point to prevention and consistent implementation of reporting pathways. Schools, youth welfare offices and counseling centers have long reported problems with misogynistic and violence-glorifying content that spreads rapidly via social networks. Platforms are also obliged to review reported content, remove it and secure data so that investigations can be carried out. Until the scheduled date in Lille, the allegations will remain subject to judicial review; further information about the proceedings is expected to become known only in the course of the main hearing.