7 held for death threats against Paris Olympic ceremony organizer

Seven individuals have been detained for allegedly harassing Thomas Jolly, the artistic director for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The arrests took place between Tuesday and Thursday, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office said on Friday, following an investigation into complaints by Jolly of threats after the Olympics opening ceremony in July.

The suspects must appear at a hearing in March 2025, where they will face charges of repeated death threats, cyber harassment and aggravated insults related to sexual orientation and actual or perceived religious affiliation.

French authorities launched the investigation in August following a formal complaint by Jolly, who reported receiving numerous threats after the opening ceremony, which generated a backlash centered primarily around a segment titled “Festivity,” featuring dancers and drag performers in a scene some saw as reminiscent of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”

The performance sparked outrage among various Christian groups, who accused Jolly of disrespecting Christianity, and drew criticism from right-wing politicians such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

French DJ Barbara Butch, who performed during part of the ceremony, also filed several complaints in late July after receiving death and rape threats.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo responded strongly to the criticism, extending her support to Jolly and condemning the backlash.

“Fuck the reactionaries, fuck this far right, fuck all of those who would like to lock us into a war of all against all,” she said during an interview to Le Monde in August.