A French court has ordered the dissolution of the fundraising platform Leetchi, following a controversial campaign that raised money for a police officer convicted of assault. The Paris judicial court ruled on March 26, 2026, that the platform failed in its duty of vigilance by allowing the fundraiser, which it said undermined the dignity of the victim and public order.
The case stems from a 2023 incident where a police officer was convicted for assaulting a young man during an arrest. A subsequent online fundraiser for the officer, hosted on Leetchi, amassed over 1.6 million euros from tens of thousands of donors, sparking widespread public outcry and political debate.
In its ruling, the court stated the fundraiser constituted an act of collective support for a person convicted of a serious crime, thereby legitimizing violence and showing contempt for the judicial decision. The court found Leetchi's moderation insufficient, leading to the dissolution order. The platform's parent company, CrΓ©dit Mutuel ArkΓ©a, has announced it will appeal the decision.
The verdict has ignited a fierce debate in France about the limits of online fundraising, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of digital platforms. Critics of the ruling argue it sets a dangerous precedent for censorship, while supporters see it as a necessary check on platforms enabling support for criminal acts.
