Versailles, Louvre, schools, airports… Many places have been evacuated in recent days following false bomb threats, causing disruption throughout France. What do their authors risk?
Bomb threats have increased in recent days in France since the Vigipirate level was raised following the assassination on Friday of a teacher in a high school in Arras. THE Castle of Versailles was once again the target of a bomb threat this Friday (the fifth in seven days). The Louvre Museum and numerous airports, as well as several educational establishments, had to be evacuated after these bomb threats or threatening messages suggesting an attack. The police had to intervene systematically, the alerts being always taken seriously.
Incidents which multiplied after the terrorist attack in Arras. The Gambetta high school, where the tragedy occurred, was also affected on Monday during the tribute paid to Dominique Bernard and the resumption of classes. The majority of these bomb threats concern educational establishments. The Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal reported 299 bomb threats recorded since the start of the school year. The Minister of Justice, Éric Dupond-Moretti announced that 22 investigations are underway, on RTL, this Friday. “There were arrests a few hours ago and there will be convictions,” he assured.
Which profiles?
According to the Minister of Justice, “among those who make these bomb threats, there are kids, little jokers who have no sense of responsibility.” “The majority are minors,” he added. Gabriel Attal, for his part, specifies that “several dozen students” were arrested. “Some are 11, 12 or 14 years old.” He intends to “make examples” to dissuade future attempts. “Some say it’s a hoax, some say they wanted to miss a class.”
The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, has already announced that 18 people had been arrested for false alarms. On Monday, the Créteil public prosecutor’s office announced the arrest of seven suspects after a wave of false bomb threats in Val-de-Marne. These are adolescents aged 13 to 16 years old. A man was also arrested and taken into custody this Friday, reports BFMTV. He is suspected of being the author of the bomb threat that occurred Thursday at the Palace of Versailles. According to the news channel, the suspect, aged 37, suffers from schizophrenia. No terrorist motivation was considered.
What sanctions?
Faced with this increase in false bomb threats, their authors, if found, face a trial during which they risk a significant sentence. In accordance with article 322-13 of the Penal Code, the maximum penalty for a false bomb threat for adults is three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros. “The threat, by any means whatsoever, to commit destruction, damage or deterioration is punishable by one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros when it is made with the order to complete a condition”, specifies the text of the law.
This article stipulates that “the penalty is increased to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros if it involves a threat of destruction, damage or deterioration dangerous to people”. But there are other legal qualifications for particular cases, such as whether the bomb threat targets a plane or a ship. A person who transmits “false news” to “compromise the safety of an aircraft in flight” or “a ship” thus risks five years of imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros.
Those under 18 risk being sanctioned by educational measures (curfew, ban on going to certain places or even civic training courses). In addition to these penalties, requests for compensation to cover the costs generated by these false alerts may also arise. In the event of conviction of minors, it is the parents who must pay these costs.