Paris: Jack Lang Pushed to the Ground During a Rally Against Pedocriminality, Investigation Launched

Jack Lang, President of the Arab World Institute and former Minister of Culture, was assaulted on Saturday, February 8, during a rally organized by the International Collective for the Abolition of Pedocriminality in Paris. The incident occurred around 7:30 PM as Jack Lang was exiting the metro on his way to the Opéra Garnier. He was confronted by a group of protesters who surrounded him, shouting insults such as “pedophile” and “child rapist,” before one individual pushed him to the ground.

Hospitalization and Investigation Launched

At 85 years old, Jack Lang was briefly hospitalized for abrasions before being discharged later that evening. A complaint was filed at the central police station, and an investigation has been opened for “intentional group violence against a public service official resulting in incapacity of less than eight days,” according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.

Context and Reactions

This incident comes amid a surge of accusations against Jack Lang on social media. The former minister lamented “a resurgence of slander” targeting him, referring notably to a controversial petition from January 1977. This petition, written by author Gabriel Matzneff—accused of pedocriminality—defended sexual relations between adults and children “in the name of absolute freedom.” Other signatories included Simone de Beauvoir, Louis Aragon, and Roland Barthes.

Jack Lang expressed his regret in 2021 on Europe 1, describing his decision to sign the petition as “a mistake.” He noted having secured “three defamation convictions” related to these accusations and affirmed his determination to “pursue all slanderers with resolve.”