A Paris court has sentenced French influencer Amine Mojito, whose real name is Ilan M., to 12 months in prison for his viral syringe prank videos that sparked widespread outrage and fear. The 27-year-old was found guilty of “violence with a weapon not resulting in work incapacity.”

Mojito’s videos, which showed him injecting bystanders with empty syringes on Parisian streets, went viral just before France’s Fête de la Musique in June. The videos were posted amid unfounded rumors of needle attacks at festivals and student parties, further fueling public anxiety.

The court ruled that Mojito would serve six months of his sentence in custody, while the remaining six months would be suspended. He was also fined €1,500 ($1,761) and prohibited from possessing or carrying a gun for three years.

Prosecutors had sought a harsher sentence, calling Mojito a “public menace” who knowingly aggravated public outrage. Several victims testified to experiencing genuine panic, with one describing the experience as a nightmare due to ongoing public health anxieties.

Mojito defended himself, claiming the videos were never intended to cause harm. He told the court that he had been inspired by similar pranks he had seen online and wanted to revive his internet career by promoting a physical exercise program. The court, however, saw his actions as a serious offense, and his sentence reflects the severity of the incident.