‘Persepolis’ Trial in Tunisia a Setback for Free Expression
(Tunis) – The trial of a television director on morality charges for airing a controversial animated film is a disturbing turn for the nascent Tunisian democracy, Human Rights Watch said today. On January 23, 2012, a Tunis court announced that Nabil Karoui, director of Nessma TV, will go on trial on April 19 for airing the French animated movie “Persepolis.”
On October 7, 2011, the privately owned Nessma television station broadcast “Persepolis,” an animated feature film about a girl’s childhood in Iran. The broadcast led to protests in Tunis because it contained a scene depicting God, which some consider to be forbidden by Islam. On October 14, a crowd damaged Karoui’s home in Tunis with Molotov cocktails.
“Trying someone for speech offenses is a relic of the despotism Tunisians protested against,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Tunisian authorities should immediately drop the prosecution of Karoui.”
For broadcasting the film, Karoui faces up to three years in prison under article 48 of the old press code for libeling a religion, and up to five years under article 121(3) of the penal code for distributing or displaying information “that can harm public order or good morals.” Karoui’s trial date was first scheduled for November 16, 2011, then postponed to January 23, and again postponed to April 19.
In recent weeks, journalists have increasingly come under physical assault by suspected members of Islamist groups, Human Rights Watch said. On January 23, in front of the courthouse where Karoui’s trial was taking place, Human Rights Watch observed a crowd that had assembled to protest against Nessma assault three journalists. Some of the protesters carried black and white flags often associated with jihadist movements or with the unauthorized party Hezb-al-Tahrir.
Amazing movie. I encourage people who can watch it to check it out.
