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Muslims sue over France cartoons Editor defends Prophet cartoons
(about 3 hours later)
Two French Muslim groups have begun a lawsuit in a Paris court against magazine Charlie Hebdo over cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad. A French magazine editor has defended their decision to print caricatures satirising the Prophet Muhammad.
The groups say the magazine "insulted people on the basis of religion" in a case seen as a test of free speech. Two French Muslim groups are suing Charlie Hebdo magazine for defamation over the cartoons, printed a year ago.
Charlie Hebdo reprinted Danish cartoons that provoked a violent backlash in the Muslim world a year ago. Editor Philippe Val told the start of the case in a Paris court the cartoons were critiquing "ideas, not men."
The newspaper Liberation republished the cartoons on Wednesday in solidarity with the magazine.The newspaper Liberation republished the cartoons on Wednesday in solidarity with the magazine.
But the Union of French Islamic Organisations and the Paris Grand Mosque said Charlie Hebdo's decision to publish the cartoons "was part of a considered plan of provocation aimed against the Islamic community in its most intimate faith". The groups - Paris Mosque and the Union of Islamic Organisations of France - say the magazine "insulted people on the basis of religion" in a case seen as a test of free speech.
It was "born out of a simplistic Islamophobia as well as purely commercial interests".
Muslims regard images of the Prophet Mohammed as blasphemous.Muslims regard images of the Prophet Mohammed as blasphemous.
Global controversy 'Considered plan'
"If we no longer have the right to laugh at terrorists, what arms are citizens left with?" Mr Val asked.
"How is making fun of those who commit terrorist acts throwing oil on the fire?"
The trial is seen as a test of the boundaries of free speech in France
A lawyer for the magazine read a letter out from French presidential candidate Nicholas Sarkozy.
Mr Sarkozy noted he was often a target of the magazine but said he would prefer "too many caricatures to an absence of caricature".
But the Muslim groups said Charlie Hebdo's decision to publish the cartoons "was part of a considered plan of provocation aimed against the Islamic community in its most intimate faith".
It was "born out of a simplistic Islamophobia as well as purely commercial interests".
The illustrations originally appeared in the best-selling Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 30 September 2005 to accompany an editorial criticising self-censorship in the Danish media.The illustrations originally appeared in the best-selling Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 30 September 2005 to accompany an editorial criticising self-censorship in the Danish media.
The trial is seen as a test of the boundaries of free speech in FranceOne image shows the Prophet Muhammad carrying a lit bomb in the shape of a turban on his head decorated with the Islamic creed. One image shows the Prophet Muhammad carrying a lit bomb in the shape of a turban on his head decorated with the Islamic creed.
Over the next few months they were reprinted in a number of French publications and elsewhere in Europe and around the world.Over the next few months they were reprinted in a number of French publications and elsewhere in Europe and around the world.
Reaction in the Muslim world built up in January and February of 2006 culminating in sometimes violent protests.Reaction in the Muslim world built up in January and February of 2006 culminating in sometimes violent protests.
Danish case
The two-day trial is being seen as a test of the boundaries of free speech and religious sensitivities in France.The two-day trial is being seen as a test of the boundaries of free speech and religious sensitivities in France.
If we can't criticise religion anymore, there will be no women's rights, no birth control and no gay rights Philippe Val, Charlie Hebdo
In republishing the cartoons, Liberation called the trial "idiotic", adding: "It is not words which wound, or pictures that kill. It is bombs."In republishing the cartoons, Liberation called the trial "idiotic", adding: "It is not words which wound, or pictures that kill. It is bombs."
A television debate between Charlie Hebdo publisher Philippe Val and Paris Grand Mosque rector Dalil Boubakeur proved an acrimonious affair. A television debate between Mr Val and Paris Grand Mosque rector Dalil Boubakeur proved an acrimonious affair.
Mr Boubakeur said the cartoons insulted all Muslims by suggesting they were all terrorists.Mr Boubakeur said the cartoons insulted all Muslims by suggesting they were all terrorists.
Mr Val said: "If we can't criticise religion anymore, there will be no women's rights, no birth control and no gay rights."Mr Val said: "If we can't criticise religion anymore, there will be no women's rights, no birth control and no gay rights."
In October, a Danish court rejected a libel case brought by several Muslim groups against the Jyllands-Posten.In October, a Danish court rejected a libel case brought by several Muslim groups against the Jyllands-Posten.
The court in Aarhus said there was not enough reason to believe the cartoons were meant to be insulting or harmful.The court in Aarhus said there was not enough reason to believe the cartoons were meant to be insulting or harmful.