More flowering of democracy and pluralism in the glorious “Arab Spring” Tunisia. “Seven and a Half Years for Accused in Mahdia Blasphemy Case Following Appeal,” by Sana Ajmi for Tunisia Live, June 25 (thanks to David):
The verdict in the case of Jabeur Mejri — a young Tunisian man who was sentenced in April to seven and a half years imprisonment on charges of attacking public order and morality – was unchanged following today”s appeal.
According to Ahmed Ali Msalmi, a lawyer representing Mejri”, the verdict remains unchanged. “The two men were sentenced to seven and a half years in prison each. This is not acceptable. There is a possibility of a second appeal,” he said.
Mejri and Ghazi Beji — another artist who managed to flee to Greece before the trial — were indicted for posting caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad and manuscripts critical of Islam online. Mejri has been in prison in Mahdia since March this year.
Mohamed Trabelsi, Beji’s Lawyer, explained that because his client was tried in absentia, he would not be given the opportunity to appeal unless he returned to Tunisia.
Beji’s book, Wahm al Islam — the Illusion of Islam — and Mejri’s book Dark Land, include caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, which are considered sacrilegious to many Muslims.…