Likely that there’s more to this, but I think it’s also important to remember that they did the same to some climate activists and that institutions in France are notoriously hostile towards the French-Muslim population, especially of (North-)African descent.
There are way too many people alive who still remember France having colonies. Levantine Arabs have a better standing due to some Palestinians and Lebanese churches having close ties to France, but in general I also wouldn’t rule out that this sentence is as harsh just because someone disliked by the government was too critical of said government. Although I have to admit that this is now speculation from my side
Trickle on me daddy