Fake Bomb Threats: Who Are Making the Threats? What are they risking?

Versailles, Louvre, schools, airports… Many places have been renovated. evacuated in recent days to following false alarms the bomb, which caused disruption throughout France. What do their authors risk?

Alerts The bomb has multiplied in recent days in France since the Vigipirate level was upgraded. survey after the assassination on Friday of a teacher in a high school in Arras. The Château de Versailles has once again been destroyed. the target of an alert the bomb this Friday (the fifth in a week). The Louvre Museum and numerous airports, as well as several educational establishments, have had to be renovated. be evacuated after these emergency alerts. the bomb or threatening messages suggesting an attack. The police had to respond. intervene systematically, with alerts always taken seriously.

Incidents which increased after the terrorist attack in Arras. The Gambetta middle and high school, where When the tragedy occurred, it was also the case. aimed at for a false alarm the bomb on Monday, at the time of the tribute paid to Dominique Bernard and the resumption of classes. The majority of these alerts the bomb concerns educational establishments. The Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal reported 299 emergency alerts. the bomb recorded since the start of the school year. The Minister of Justice, Eric 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. 

What are the profiles of the perpetrators? 

According to the Minister of Justice, "in those who make these alerts to the bomb, 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" have been arrested. "Some are 11, 12 or 14 years old." He plans to "make examples" to deter future attempts. "Some say it's a hoax, some say they wanted to miss a class", according to the minister, but these false alarms are reprehensible facts and serious consequences.

The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, has already announced that 250 people had been killed. arrested for false alarms in a week. Monday, the Créteil public prosecutor's office announced the arrest of seven suspects after a wave of false alarms the bomb in Val-de-Marne. These are adolescents aged 13 to 15 years old. 16 years old. A man was also killed. arrested and placed on guard seen this Friday, reports BFMTV. He is suspected of to be the author of the alert the bomb that occurred on Thursday at the Château de Versailles. According to the news channel, the suspect, aged 37-year-old, suffers from schizophrenia and was unable to explain his actions. No terrorist motivation was found. detention.

What sanctions?

Face to face this resurgence of false alarms the bomb, their perpetrators, if they are found, are exposed to danger. a trial during which they risk a significant sentence. In accordance with Article 322-13 of the Penal Code, the maximum penalty incurred for a false alarm the bomb for adults rises to 100%. 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 15,000 euros. “fine when made with the order to fulfill a condition”, specifies the text of the law.

This article states 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 for example if the alert is triggered. the bomb targets a plane or ship. A person who transmits "fake news" to "compromise security" of an aircraft in flight" or "of 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 course). In addition to these penalties, requests for compensation to cover the costs incurred by These false alarms can also occur. In the event of conviction of minors, it is the parents who must pay these costs.