Tense Tunisia 'Persepolis' Trial Delayed To April

Published January 23, 2012 5:00PM (EST)

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A Tunisian court has adjourned until April 19 the tense trial regarding a TV station owner charged with "attacking sacred values" for airing the prize-winning animated film "Persepolis."

Monday's decision comes after the trial over the airing of the film by the private station Nessma TV has turned into a battleground for what the new Tunisia, after the overthrow of its secular dictator a year ago, will look like.

Islamists, who demonstrated against the film and later attacked the station owner's house, say it was deliberate insult to their religion.

Liberals describe it as a battle for freedom of expression in the face of religious intolerance.

The film won the jury prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and contains a scene showing a character representing God. Depictions of God are considered sacrilege in Islam.


By Salon Staff

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