French court convicts two over streamer's death; consent defence fails

Two men in France have been convicted of aggravated violence in connection with the death of Raphaël Graven, a 46-year-old online streamer who died during a live broadcast in August 2025. Safine Hamadi and Owen Cenazandotti received suspended prison sentences and fines for their roles in the incident, which took place in the village of Contes near Nice.

Graven, also known as Jean Pormanove, was a prominent internet personality with over a million followers across social media platforms. He was known for participating in extreme challenges that often involved humiliation and physical abuse. On the day of his death, a livestream on the platform Kick showed him lying lifeless on a mattress. The video was later removed from the platform.

During the trial, Hamadi and Cenazandotti argued that Graven had consented to the acts he was subjected to. Their defence was partially accepted by the court, which acquitted them of abusing Graven's psychological frailty. However, the court found them guilty of aggravated violence. According to the prosecution, the likely causes of death were related to Graven's poor health and a fragile heart, not directly to the violence itself.

The court sentenced Hamadi to 18 months in prison, suspended, and Cenazandotti to two years, also suspended. In addition, Hamadi was ordered to pay a fine of €5,000, while Cenazandotti was fined €15,000. Both men have been banned from posting on Kick for six months.

Hamadi expressed remorse during the trial. His lawyer told Reuters that Graven had told police before his death that he consented to the stunts. This explanation was central to the court's decision not to charge the two men with manslaughter or abuse of vulnerability.

The case has drawn attention to the ethics of extreme content on streaming platforms. Kick, where the broadcast occurred, remains under investigation by French authorities. In a statement to The New York Times, the platform said it was not a party to the proceedings and had no comment on the outcome, adding that the ruling related solely to two individual content creators.

Legal experts say the verdict highlights the difficulties in balancing consent with criminal liability when violence occurs online. While consent can be a valid defence in some cases, French law places limits, particularly when the acts cause serious harm or death. The fact that the men were convicted of aggravated violence, even though they did not cause death directly, reflects this legal nuance.

Graven's death has also renewed debates about the responsibility of platforms to monitor harmful content. Kick has faced scrutiny before for allowing dangerous stunts. The outcome of the investigation into the platform itself is still awaited.

For viewers and content creators, the case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of extreme online behaviour. While Graven was a willing participant, the law does not automatically absolve others of responsibility when their actions lead to harm.

As the legal process continues, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and preventing similar tragedies in the future.