Belfast graffiti targeting rape victim Gisèle Pelicot blamed on french far right group

French far-right activists have been blamed for graffiti in Belfast supporting Dominique Pelicot.

A group from Normandy had been invited to visit Belfast by loyalists in the Shankill Road area of the city for the Twelfth of July celebrations were spotted at the Sandy Row bonfire hours before the messages calling for the release of convicted rapist Dominique Pelicot were painted along a wall.

The messages appeared following Monday’s Twelfth parade in the area.

Over the weekend, a local group posted on social media pictures of “20 French patriots” had been “good company”. The post also showed a mural in the area which was reportedly created by the French visitors featuring the words ‘No Surrender’.

Social media videos show the french men at Sandy Row bonfire, where they were filmed chanting fascist slogans.

The graffiti named Gisèle Pelicot followed by a derogatory misogynistic French word, alongside the words “free Dominique”.

More racist statements were sprayed nearby on apartment block walls.

The graffiti has since been removed.

Ms Pelicot waived her right to anonymity so the trial could be held in public and has since become a symbol of bravery to sexual assault survivors across the world.