Marseille Mayor Files Complaint After Being Threatened "For Eating Couscous"

Benoît Payan filed a complaint against an unknown person on Monday, September 8, 2025, after receiving several death threats and hateful comments posted on social media, notably under a video of the left-wing mayor of Marseille eating couscous.

"Threatened with death for eating couscous at a Marseille cooking festival, I will obviously never give in," wrote the elected official on X, posting a screenshot of an insulting message from an anonymous user.

Threatened with death for eating couscous at a Marseille cooking festival, I will obviously never give in.

Marseille is a city of living together and we will do everything to ensure that this continues, despite intimidation, far right or not. pic.twitter.com/Hy9XqyvluD

His complaint for "threat of death or damage to property dangerous to people against an elected official" , consulted by AFP, was filed in the afternoon at a police station in the first arrondissement of France's second city.

"The death threats and insults of all kinds continue and intensify, but they will not stop me . Marseille and the people of Marseille are stronger than hatred," he later posted again on X, thanking "all those who have given me their support."

His message was accompanied by several screenshots of insulting and racist social media posts against him.

Among the figures who expressed their support were the LFI MP for Marseille, Sébastien Delogu, who regularly criticises the policies of the diverse left-wing mayor and whose rival candidacy in the municipal elections is expected, the socialist president of the Occitanie region, Carole Delga, and Olivier Rioult, spokesperson for the RN candidate for the municipal elections in the Phocaean city, Franck Allisio.