In Nice on Tuesday, streamers known by the pseudonyms Naruto and Safine were taken into custody by the judicial police. This measure follows the opening of a preliminary investigation by the Nice public prosecutor's office in December 2024 concerning live streams on the Kick streaming platform and acts described as violence.
Serious accusations
The two men are being questioned for group violence, group violence against a minor, and abuse of a vulnerable person. Other charges include violence with a weapon without causing injury, acts committed against minors under 15 years of age, and offenses related to the dissemination of images of violence.
The prosecutor's office clarifies that these arrests are not directly related to the investigation into the death of Jean Pormanove, who died live on Kickstarter on August 18, 2025, at his home in Contes, Alpes-Maritimes. The investigation aims to clarify the behavior of his fellow streamers and their potential responsibility in acts of violence or abuse.
The investigation dates back to December 2024, following the publication of articles and reports highlighting videos in which vulnerable people were victims of violence or humiliation, sometimes encouraged by donations from viewers. This initial phase had already led to Naruto and Safine being taken into custody in January 2025, followed by their release.
What possible outcomes?
Current custody periods have a maximum duration of 48 hours, until Thursday, with the possibility of extension by the judicial authorities. The interrogations aim to determine the exact extent of the alleged offenses and to establish whether these behaviors constitute criminal offenses under French law.
As a reminder, the death of Jean Pormanove provoked a strong media and institutional reaction. It reignited the debate on content moderation on streaming platforms, the protection of vulnerable individuals, and the responsibility of content creators. The government contacted regulatory authorities to obtain explanations regarding the management of live streams and considered legal action against the Kick platform for negligence.
