Ilan Halimi
Reproduction photo: French police department
French judge sanctions magazine in Halimi case
'Choc' magazine ordered to withdraw all copies featuring image of French Jew who was kidnapped, tortured and left dead in 2006. Deceased's mother rewarded $27,380 in damages
A French judge has ordered off newsstands a magazine that published a cover photo of a Jewish man who was allegedly tortured by a group of people now on trial for their role in his death.
The magazine, "Choc," which means shock in French, must be withdrawn by May 22 for publishing a picture of Ilan Halimi taken by his captors.
Brutal Killing
Associated Press
Leader of group that tortured, killed Ilan Halimi in 2006 accused of premeditated murder, demanding ransom and acts of torture and barbarism; 10 young women, 17 young men to be tried; murder prompted fear of resurgent anti-Semitism in France
Judge Phillipe Jean-Draeher says the "exceptional" attack on the feelings of Halimi's mother and sisters led to his ruling Wednesday.
The mother was awarded €20,000 ($27,380) and the sisters each €10,000 ($13,767) in damages.
The magazine must pay a €200 ($274) fine for every infraction.
Twenty-seven people are on trial in a case that has raised concerns about anti-Semitism. Halimi's family says he was killed because he was Jewish.
French authorities found 23-year-old Halimi naked, handcuffed and covered with burn marks near railroad tracks in the Essonne region south of Paris on Feb. 13, 2006.
He died on the way to the hospital after being held captive for more than three weeks, and was later buried in Israel.
