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French MP and National Rally spokesperson Julien Odoul sparked controversy after posting an AI-altered version of a photo originally shared by La France Insoumise MP Aly Diouara. The original image, captioned “Liberté” (“Freedom”), showed a young woman in a hijab and pink outfit crossing a street; Odoul’s version replaced her headscarf and clothing with uncovered hair, a white top, and trousers, captioned “Liberté française !” (“French freedom!”).
Critics said altering a real woman’s image to impose a particular vision of freedom undermines the very autonomy it claims to champion. Lawyer Arié Alimi, of the Human Rights League, called the National Rally’s broader proposal to fine women who wear the hijab in public a “provocation to religious discrimination,” and said anti-racist organizations plan to file complaints against politicians who have publicly backed the measure. Odoul has responded by threatening to sue Alimi for defamation, turning what began as a photo edit into an active legal dispute layered on top of an already tense national debate.
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