The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday dismissed Éric Zemmour's complaint against his 2017 conviction for inciting discrimination and religious hatred against the French Muslim Community.

As French domestic courts had already ruled, the EU court found that the far-right politician, pundit, and presidential candidate had made claims that could inflame tensions surrounding the Muslim community in France.

A statement by the ECHR justified Zemmour's conviction on the grounds that this was necessary "to protect the rights of others which were at stake."

The Criminal Court in Paris had penalised Zemmour for inciting discrimination and hatred after he appeared on the popular television programme C à vous in September 2016. On the programme, Zemmour made sweeping claims against the French Muslim community, portraying Muslims living in France as "colonisers" and "invaders" on a mission to "Islamise" the country. He stated that they should make "a choice between Islam and France."

In June 2017, Zemmour was initially fined €5,000 for inciting discrimination and hatred on grounds of origin and religion. However, the Paris Court of Appeal reversed parts of the verdict and reduced the fine to €3,000.

Zemmour challenged the verdict, arguing that his statements had been an issue of public interest and therefore within the scope of freedom of expression. Yet the ECHR ruled that the French courts had a "wide margin of appreciation to impose restrictions".