French authorities are investigating the death of a man who died during a live video stream on the Kick platform, where he had regularly been subjected to violence and humiliation. The man, identified as Raphael Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, died on Monday in the village of Contes, north of Nice.
Prosecutors have ordered an autopsy and opened an investigation into the death of the 46-year-old. France's junior minister for AI and digital technology, Clara Chappaz, described the incident as 'absolutely horrific' and said she had referred the matter to digital regulator Arcom and filed a report to the Pharos internet reporting portal.
Kick Français stated it would cooperate with authorities and is reviewing its French content. 'All co-streamers who participated in this live broadcast have been banned pending the ongoing investigation,' the platform said on X. Kick is an Australian-registered live-streaming platform that shares revenue with creators.
Chappaz emphasised that platforms have a legal responsibility to prevent the dissemination of illegal content. She has requested an explanation from Kick. Meanwhile, a lawyer for one of the co-streamers seen abusing Pormanove claimed the violence was staged, stating that the victim had cardiovascular problems and the scenes followed a script.
French media have broadcast excerpts showing Pormanove enduring blows, insults, strangulation, and being doused with paint and oil, as well as shot with a paintball gun. It remains unclear whether he participated voluntarily or was coerced, and whether the acts were real or simulated.
