French livestreamers get suspended sentences for abuse

A criminal court in Nice has handed suspended prison sentences to two French livestreamers for subjecting a fellow content creator to sustained violence and humiliation during online broadcasts that preceded his death. The verdict, delivered on August 5, 2026, concludes a case that has sparked national outrage and intensified scrutiny of livestreaming platforms.

Owen Cenazandotti, 27, known online as Naruto, received a two-year suspended sentence and a 15,000 euro fine. Safine Hamadi, 24, known as Safine, was given an 18-month suspended sentence and a 5,000 euro fine. Both men were also banned from posting on any social media or streaming platforms for six months, a judicial measure described as a digital ban. The suspended sentences mean neither will serve prison time unless they reoffend.

The court convicted the pair of violence and incitement to hatred against 46-year-old Raphaël Graven, who streamed under the name Jean Pormanove. However, the streamers were cleared of manslaughter and of exploiting Graven's psychological frailty. Graven died on August 18, 2025, during a marathon livestream on the Kick platform. Prosecutors stated the death was likely linked to his poor...