In Tunisia, the crime is not that Marjane Satrapi’s animated film criticizes the Iranian regime, but rather that one scene of a few seconds’ duration depicts God talking to her. In Iran, the political overtones of the film infuriated the regime and no one seems to have noticed the drawing of God. But in Tunisia, that scene has the very religious calling for the head of the TV station owner.
Specifically, the owner of Nessma television is accused of “insulting sacred values.”
“I am sorry to be here today, this is a political trial,” Nessma’s head, Nabil Karoui, said on arrival. “It’s the trial of 10 million Tunisians who dreamed of having a democratic country.”
The court was in uproar when proceedings began, with opposing teams of lawyers shouting at each other, but then the trial was postponed until April 19.
Insults flew outside the court building between those who supported Nessma and those who had it in for the channel. A group of bearded young radicals shouted “The people want Nessma closed down” and “You, media cowards, know that religion mustn’t be defamed.”
Their opponents argued that they were defending the freedom of expression in a trial that was a test of Tunisia’s new democracy.
The defense team mobilized renowned lawyers, representatives of rights groups, non-governmental organizations and political figures, including former Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi, who was applauded by Nessma’s supporters. They also sang the national anthem.
“I have come to lend my moral support to defend the freedom of expression. This is important because Tunisia is at the crossroads,” Caid Essebsi said.
He helped steer the north African country from a public uprising that ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011 to an elected government and a constituent assembly.
Another political leader, the head of the leftwing Ettajdid party Ahmed Brahim, came to protest against the “abuse of religious sentiment.”
The country today faces huge problems. Social, economic and national solidarity is necessary, not this false cleavage,” Brahim added.
