French teacher suspended for praising Taliban on social media: Report

By Alaattin Dogru

PARIS (AA) – A teacher in France was suspended for praising the Taliban on his social media post, according to the Le Figaro newspaper.

Commenting on the Taliban taking over Afghanistan on his personal Facebook account, Khalid B., a math instructor in Nancy, northeastern France, said the group has "the will and the conviction, unlimited courage ..."

After the post, the teacher was suspended by the school administration and a screenshot of the post was sent to the prosecutor's office.

In a statement, prosecutor Francois Perain said there are enough elements to open an investigation against the teacher for advocating terrorism.

In France, advocating terrorism online is punishable by a fine of €100,000 ($119,000) and up to seven years in prison.

The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan after taking Kabul on Aug. 15, and are now in the process of forming a government. Foreign troops have completely withdrawn from the war-torn country.