Toulouse.Who is Papacito, the far -right influencer that Mélenchon attacks in justice?

By Thibaut Calatayud Published onNews ToulouseSee my news

Far-right YouTuber and author Papacito sparks controversy. Sunday June 6, 2021, this 30-year-old from Toulouse posted a video entitled “Is leftism bulletproof? ". Deleted from the Google platform for a few hours, the content continues to be talked about.

In this video, Papacito wonders if "the basic equipment of the guy who votes Jean-Luc Mélenchon will allow him to resist the potential attack of a terrorist on our territory". The sequence continues with a shot in the head and stabbing of a mannequin dressed in a t-shirt with the inscription "I am a communist".

Jean-Luc Mélenchon reported the facts to the prosecutor

Monday June 7, the leader of La France Insoumise Jean-Luc Mélenchon – himself in turmoil after his decried exit on the attacks perpetrated by Mohammed Merah in Toulouse and Montauban - lamented a "call for murder".

This Tuesday, June 8, the leader of the Insoumis and his lawyer, filed a report with the Paris prosecutor's office. “The video is considered to involve a press offence. Article 24 of the law of July 29, 1881 on freedom of expression and press law condemns provocation to murder or the attack on the physical integrity of persons by any means of communication. It is a very serious press offense which provides for a penalty of five years' imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros, "says Me Mathieu Davy, Jean-Luc Mélenchon's lawyer, at News Toulouse.

A census of the people who feel targeted by the video

“Mr. Mélenchon takes responsibility for these prosecutions since he is mentioned in the video. But we consider that the first victims are the people who are targeted by this macabre staging, that is to say the famous 'leftists' or left-wing voters who are stretched out in this video, ”continues Me Davy, who is surprised to have had to make the report: “Normally, the prosecution self-seizes. So there's no need to make one when hateful content is notoriously online."

Toulouse. Who is Papacito, the far-right influencer whom Mélenchon is suing?

It is in this context that the lawyer announces the forthcoming opening, on the website of La France Insoumise, of a form which will allow people who feel targeted by the video, "and who are afraid of reprisals" to address their complaint directly to the prosecutor's office concerned.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his lawyer are now awaiting a return from the prosecution. If the latter decides to take up the case, a preliminary investigation will be opened. "And if this is not the case, we will file a complaint ourselves to have an investigation opened, perhaps this time, in the hands of an investigating judge", warns the candidate's lawyer. the 2022 presidential election.

Royalist, patriot, catholic

But who is this very controversial Papacito? Born in Toulouse on January 14, 1986, his true identity is Ugo Gil Jimenez. But it is under his bespectacled character that the man made himself known through videos, media interventions, but also several comics published by Ring, a publishing house specializing in the publication of very right-wing authors.

In a video interview with essayist Charles Gave, posted on April 3 on YouTube, Papacito recalls that he comes from the far left. “I am of leftist anthropology. But not a modern left, a left that has a certain form of respectability since it is a popular left, rooted in reality, ”explains this former supervisor of colleges and high schools.

A few months earlier, he revealed himself in a video for the VA Plus media. He talks about his parents - a specialized educator father and a secretary mother who became a Spanish teacher -, his practice of rugby and English boxing... When asked how he describes himself politically speaking, he slips, a smile in corner: “I am a royalist, patriot, Catholic and I think that says it all”.

A "friend" of Eric Zemmour

A regular on TV Libertés, he appears alongside many figures on the right of the political spectrum. We can notably cite Eric Zemmour, who called the YouTuber “a friend” of his on CNews, at the beginning of June. In December 2018, he also posed with Zineb El Rhazoui, a former Charlie Hebdo journalist.

With his style as a bling-bling reggaeton singer and a dandy in costume, Papacito does not go unnoticed… Just like his speeches which very often arouse controversy. And that's the goal.

"Level 50 Imperial Punchliner"

His YouTube channel has nearly 110,000 subscribers and his Instagram account has 67,000 followers. His recipe for success? Chaining gritty punchlines on virility, homosexuality, politics, weapons, civilization… Many excerpts from his “shock interviews” are also running on the new social network in vogue: TikTok. In his Instagram bio, he calls himself “Level 50 Imperial Punchliner”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMEyq5BnxNl/

The excuse of humor to avoid censorship

Despite comments that flirt with the limits of the law, Papacito continues to offer videos that respect YouTube's rules. To avoid censorship, the one who did his high school years at Mirail justifies his remarks with "humor". A strategy described by his friend, also YouTuber, Baptiste Marchais at TV Libertés:

On the strength of his bad buzz, Papacito announced in his Instagram story that he would be present on the program Touche Pas à Mon Poste, this Tuesday, June 8, on C8.

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