A rap song referring to jihadists involved in deadly attacks in France has sparked controversy after being featured in videos filmed during student protests and at a church. The track, MRH by rapper BORO700, mentions Mohamed Merah and Salah Abdeslam, both known for their roles in significant terrorist events.
Mohamed Merah carried out attacks in 2012, killing a teacher and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse. Salah Abdeslam was involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks, which included the Bataclan concert hall where 90 people were killed.
Controversial Student Protests
A video circulating on social media shows students chanting the track at François-Villon high school in Beaugency during a protest on October 1. The lyrics include lines such as: “Like Mohamed Merah, dodging the cameras,” and “Bataclan, I shot him with my eyes, manhunt, Salah Abdeslam.”
The Orléans prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation into suspected “apology for terrorism,” a legal term in France for publicly justifying terrorism. On October 7, three minors faced police custody. Authorities emphasize the investigation concerns the song’s lyrics, not the students’ intentions.
The track also appears in a video shot inside Saint-Hilaire church in Soullans on October 4. Local authorities urged the community not to share the clip, noting that the minors involved might not fully grasp the impact of their actions. Soullans’ Mayor Vincent Jolly encouraged a thoughtful and measured response.
Broader Context of Protests
The appearance of the song coincides with ongoing high school protests in France, which have caused numerous schools to temporarily close. Students have voiced concerns about funding, staff shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Some protests have turned violent, with trash cans set alight, barricades erected, and clashes with police. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused the La France Insoumise party of instigating unrest ahead of upcoming presidential elections.
International Reactions
Amid the protests, some social media narratives have framed the events as a warning about immigration and political shifts. Former President Donald Trump commented on the situation by claiming it reflected issues of mass migration. His statements were refuted by the French government.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized the importance of controlling the narrative by communicating France’s perspective to avoid external distortion.
Rapper BORO700 is scheduled to appear in a Paris court on October 21 for charges related to the controversial content in his music.
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