A French court sentenced streamers Owen Cenazandotti and Safine Hamadi on Wednesday for online violence and humiliations directed at another creator [1], [2].
The ruling establishes a legal precedent for holding digital influencers accountable for coordinated online harassment that contributes to a victim's death. It highlights the growing tension between internet culture and criminal liability in France.
The Tribunal correctionnel de Nice delivered the sentences on Aug. 5, 2026 [1], [4]. Cenazandotti, known online as "Naruto," received a two-year suspended prison sentence [1]. Hamadi, known as "Safine," was sentenced to 18 months of suspended prison time [1].
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered both individuals to undergo a six-month "digital ban" [3]. This restriction limits their ability to operate within the digital spaces where the harassment occurred.
The case centers on the treatment of Jean Pormanove, a streamer who died in the summer of 2025 [5]. The court examined a pattern of humiliations and violence conducted online. While some reports describe the actions as online humiliations [1], [2], other accounts characterize the crimes as "violence in a group" [3].
The proceedings in Nice focused on how the targeted harassment preceded Pormanove's death. The court's decision to impose suspended sentences means the defendants will not serve immediate jail time provided they adhere to the conditions of their release and the digital ban [1], [2].
Legal representatives and observers said the digital ban is a specific remedy for crimes committed via streaming platforms. The ruling reflects a judicial effort to curb the culture of public shaming and coordinated attacks common in some streaming communities [1], [3].
“The ruling establishes a legal precedent for holding digital influencers accountable for coordinated online harassment.”
This sentencing signals a shift in how French courts treat 'digital violence,' moving beyond simple defamation to recognize the psychological impact of coordinated online harassment. By implementing a digital ban alongside suspended prison sentences, the judiciary is attempting to strip offenders of the very tools used to commit the crimes, acknowledging that for streamers, loss of platform access is a significant penalty.
