PARIS – Seven people have been charged in connection with cyberbullying which targets Thomas Jolly, the artistic mastermind behind it The Paris Olympics” opening and closing ceremonies, French authorities announced on Friday.

Online attacks erupted after Jolly’s acclaimed but controversial July opening show on the Seine—a strange, inclusive, high-energy fusion of tradition and modernity that, for some, was too bold to ignore.

The abuse quickly escalated, laced with homophobic and anti-Semitic slurs and allegedly aimed at silencing the artistic intent behind the show. Jolly responded by filing a formal complaint with the Paris prosecutor’s office on July 31, prompting an investigation that led to the “first wave” of arrests, with more expected as the investigation unfolds.

The seven accused, aged between 22 and 79, face charges of making death threats, aggravated insults and cyberbullying – serious charges that can lead to jail time and heavy fines.

Joyfula theater maverick known for fusing bold cultural themes with LGBTQ+ celebration, envisioned the production that illuminated the City of Light as a vibrant and inclusive portrayal of French diversity. Jolly’s star-studded opening ceremony with queer stars like Celine Dion and Lady Gaga. However, the drag performers, high-energy catwalks and – in particular – a scene interpreted by some as “The Last Supper” drew the ire of far-right politicians and religious figures around the world.

Hungary’s ambassador to the Vatican, Eduard Habsburg, denounced the scene as disrespectful, noting wryly that “beheading the Habsburgs and ridiculing central Christian events are actually the first two things that come to mind when you think of the #OlympicGames.” Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump went further, calling the scene “a disgrace”.

Although Jolly later clarified that any similarity to “The Last Supper” was unintentional, backlash continued to spread, drawing both criticism and support for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ elements.

Amid the tumult, Jolly told French lawmakers last month that there was a distinction between constructive criticism and the discriminatory attacks he received.

“Criticism, that’s my life … but when it involves discrimination, it becomes criminal,” he said.

Stressing that the intent of the show was neither offensive nor religious, he defended his vision, expressing disbelief that anyone could interpret his work as disrespectful.

“I didn’t set out to make fun of any religion,” he stressed, reflecting that he incorporated references to Notre Dame cathedral as a tribute to France’s cultural heritage, not a religious statement.

Support for Jolly has come from the arts community, including fellow performers who have also been subjected to online abuse. Barbara Butch, a lawyer and LGBTQ+ DJ, and Drag Race France host Nicky Doll, who both performed at the Olympic ceremony, were among those harassed. Although only Jolly was named in the prosecutor’s official statement, the wave of hostility extended to others involved in the production.

Among the performers, Hugo Bardin, known as drag queen Paloma, expressed pride in the bold message of the event of inclusion and called it “a really important moment for the French people and the representation of France in the whole world”.

Drag Race France winner Le Filip echoed that sentiment, describing the ceremony as a “crowning moment” for the LGBTQ+ community and a “postcard for France” that showcased a modern, inclusive nation. He also expressed shock at the backlash against Jolly’s event.

Prosecutors on Friday underscored the seriousness of the charges and arrests, saying the case reflects a disturbing pattern of cyberbullying and hate speech directed at prominent figures.

It said the suspects tried to “intimidate and silence expressions of inclusion” and diversity in a highly public and symbolic event.

The arrests are seen as a first step in France’s fight against cyberbullying, which authorities note has become increasingly sophisticated. In Jolly’s case, prosecutors pointed to the troubling “group behavior” of attackers acting independently to escalate the harassment, a pattern seen in other online hate campaigns.

The seven accused are due to appear in court on March 5.