2 Men Convicted After French Streamer Jean Pormanove’s Death on Livestream

**Streaming Controversy Follows Tragic Death of Popular French Gamer**

In a case that has sent ripples through the online streaming community, two men have recently been convicted in relation to the death of French streamer Jean Pormanove, known by his online moniker, Raphaël Graven. The verdict, delivered on August 5, 2026, by a French court, arose amidst a series of events following Graven’s death during a lengthy livestream in August 2025.

Graven, who had garnered a massive following of over 500,000 on various social media platforms, was celebrated for his daring gaming challenges and extreme activities broadcasted live. His untimely death occurred on August 18, 2025, during what was intended to be a 12-day streaming marathon hosted on the platform Kick, where he was later found deceased in a rental room in a village north of Nice.

Though Graven’s death has not been attributed to the actions of the two convicts, Owen Cenazandotti and Safine Hamadi, the court found them guilty of aggravated violence and incitement to hatred and violence online. Reports from the New York Times noted that while they did not directly cause Graven’s death, their involvement centred around the control of his livestream at the time of the incident.

An autopsy conducted shortly after Graven’s death indicated that his demise was not traumatic and did not result from any external factor. The Nice prosecutor’s office confirmed that Graven had a history of cardiac issues and had received treatment for his thyroid condition prior to his death, suggesting that underlying health issues may have played a significant role.

Cenazandotti, a fellow streamer with a significant online presence, received a suspended prison sentence of 12 months along with a fine amounting to €15,000 (about £14,000). Hamadi was sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence with a fine of €5,000 (approximately £4,650). Both individuals have also faced a six-month ban from posting on the Kick platform.

Defence attorneys for Cenazandotti have since expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling. They asserted that the conviction was “disproportionate,” emphasising that the activities of the young streamers did not lead to Graven’s death. In their view, the relationship between Graven and the men involved was one of camaraderie with financial exchanges for challenges, even if some of the content was deemed distasteful.

The streaming platform Kick has opted not to comment officially on the convictions, as it was not a direct party in the legal case. However, it is worth noting that the platform remains under scrutiny by French prosecutors. This investigation stems from a broader examination of streamer activities within France, reportedly initiated following a detailed report by the investigative news outlet Mediapart. This report claimed that Kick had permitted streamers to broadcast violent acts for an extended period before Graven’s death.

Following the opening of the investigation in December 2024, authorities detained two other streamers involved with Graven during his livestreams. However, they were released shortly thereafter. At the same time, Graven and another livestream participant, who appeared to have been subjected to acts of violence and humiliation, were also questioned by police, highlighting the widespread concern surrounding the safety and regulation of content in live streaming.

The case remains pertinent in discussions around online safety, the responsibilities of streaming platforms, and the mental health of content creators. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, there is an increasing call for enhanced oversight and regulation to protect creators and audiences alike from the potential dangers presented by extreme content.

The implications of Graven’s tragic situation extend beyond his personal story, sparking a larger conversation about the ethics of online games, streaming, and the responsibilities of those who create and consume such content. As society grapples with the consequences of digital interactions, the lessons drawn from this incident may well shape the future of online engagement.