The Moroccan Embassy in France has filed a formal complaint after videos circulating online appeared to show individuals publicly burning and desecrating Morocco’s national flag in Aubervilliers, prompting questions about whether such acts are punishable under French law.
According to legal expert Abdelaziz Khalil, French criminal law does not specifically protect the national flags or symbols of foreign states.
“The French Penal Code protects only the French national flag and national anthem,” Khalil told Hespress. “As a result, damaging or desecrating the Moroccan flag in France is not, in itself, a criminal offense under French law.”
He said individuals responsible for burning or tearing the Moroccan flag cannot be prosecuted solely on that basis.
However, Khalil noted that other conduct shown in the videos could expose those involved to criminal liability.
French law classifies verbal abuse differently depending on the circumstances, with offenses potentially prosecuted as insults, public insults or threats. The applicable penalties depend on the legal classification of each act.
He added that French criminal law applies to anyone committing offenses on French territory, regardless of nationality.
“Verbal abuse is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and fines, with harsher penalties when accompanied by threats,” Khalil said.
In its statement, the Moroccan Embassy described the incident as a disturbance of public order and condemned what it called verbal assaults and attempts to intimidate Moroccan women.
The embassy said it had notified the relevant French authorities and filed a formal complaint seeking accountability for those responsible under applicable French law.
French authorities have not publicly commented on the complaint or announced whether an investigation has been opened.
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