Tunisians jailed for posting 'Naked Muhammad' cartoons

[hellheaven1987]

Officials in Tunisia say two bloggers have been jailed for seven years after posting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad on the internet.

The Ministry of Justice said the men had put naked caricatures of the prophet on their Facebook accounts.

Activists have criticised the sentences and voiced fears that they could herald a clampdown on free speech.

A moderate Islamist government was elected following the fall of President Zine Abidine Ben Ali last year.

One of the men, Jabeur Mejri, is in jail while the second, Ghazi Beji, was sentenced in his absence and is being sought by the police.

"They were sentenced... for violation of morality, and disturbing public order," said Chokri Nefti, a justice ministry spokesman.

Source

Interesting, so despite Tunisia just escaped a close call to set up Sharia law last week (there were large protest of supporting Sharia law however) the society is nevertheless more close to Islamic conservative. What do you think the future of Tunisia would be?

[molonthegreat]

So much for the moderate Islamism and bright new tomorrow for the countries that experienced the Arabic spring, I'm almost certain that they will regret throwing over their dictators in a couple of years. Some countries simply can't handle democracy and need a strongman to rule them.

[Justice and Mercy]

So much for the moderate Islamism and bright new tomorrow for the countries that experienced the Arabic spring, I'm almost certain that they will regret throwing over their dictators in a couple of years. Some countries simply can't handle democracy and need a strongman to rule them.

They might be very democratic.

That's beside the point. Bad government is bad government, no matter how popular it is.

Hey, this is the government they elected. Don't want your rights being abused? Don't elect Islamists into power.

Many in those countries didn't want to. Some of them want to live in a civilized world.

[Vanoi]

Many in those countries didn't want to. Some of them want to live in a civilized world.

This current government was elected into power by the Tunisian people. It seems most of the Tunisian people wanted an Islamist government.

[Justice and Mercy]

This current government was elected into power by the Tunisian people. It seems most of the Tunisian people wanted an Islamist government.

The fact that the majority of the country is barbaric doesn't mean that being barbaric is right.

I, of course, already knew this was coming.

Because I'm a genius.

[Vanoi]

The fact that the majority of the country is barbaric doesn't mean that being barbaric is right.

Who said it was right? They brought this upon themselves. They are going to have to deal with the consequences of their choice.

[YukonTrooper]

Hey, this is the government they elected. Don't want your rights being abused? Don't elect Islamists into power.

This current government was elected into power by the Tunisian people. It seems most of the Tunisian people wanted an Islamist government.

You make Democracy sound so easy, like it's wrapped up in a nice little package and easy to understand with no complications. Democracy™.

When Saleh's deputy was elected President in Yemen, it was hailed as a "great day for Democracy™!" by Clinton. Never mind the fact that the Yemenis could only vote for one candidate. Of course, I'm sure you think that's what Yemen wanted. After all, he was elected democratically and even had an American stamp of approval. Nice and simple.

Islamist parties are coming into power because they are logistically the most prepared to fill the power vacuums left over after the fall of previous governments, just as much, if not more so, because of popular voting sentiment.

[Vanoi]

You make Democracy sound so easy, like it's wrapped up in a nice little package and easy to understand with no complications. Democracy™.

So easy? Did you read my posts? How was i making it sound like it was easy with no complications?

When Saleh's deputy was elected President in Yemen, it was hailed as a "great day for Democracy™!" by Clinton. Never mind the fact that the Yemenis could only vote for one candidate. Of course, I'm sure you think that's what Yemen wanted. After all, he was elected democratically and even had an American stamp of approval. Nice and simple.

Yemen a democracy? Thats funny.

[motiv-8]

This current government was elected into power by the Tunisian people. It seems most of the Tunisian people wanted an Islamist government.

It doesn't follow that they by extension all wanted the same thing.

[Kitsunegari]

Many in those countries didn't want to. Some of them want to live in a civilized world.

That's democracy for you, might makes right, the other 49% can go to hell.

[Kitsunegari]

Saw that. I thought one of them had escaped though?

[Manuel I Komnenos]

I wish people stopped caring so much about religion.

[Vanoi]

Hey, this is the government they elected. Don't want your rights being abused? Don't elect Islamists into power.

[Kitsunegari]

One of the convicted fled to Greece, has he been extradited?

After the Revolution, in March 2011, I said to myself Tunisia is a free and democratic country now and I should try to publish my book. I contacted several book publishers in Mahdia but they all refused to publish it. So I opted to upload it online.

[Claudius Gothicus]

it's often said that societies have the government they deserve, I'm usually in disagreement but when one elects islamists through a clean and regulated process there's not much left to say.

[Blaze86420]

They should be fined and then released.

[Heathen Hammer]

They should be fined and then released.

They shouldn't even be fined. They did not really commit any crimes.

[Sarissofoi]

Dunno about local law but they propably break it.
I bet Stalin armored socks that local constitution(or laws) have something about this.
Anyway democracy is rather terrible if you wanna minority rights.
Yep.
The best things for minority rights are monarchy or dictatorship ruled by minority.

And yes I see that coming.

[Blaze86420]

They shouldn't even be fined. They did not really commit any crimes.

He insulted a religious figure many revere, that to me is a crime.

[Vanoi]

He insulted a religious figure many revere, that to me is a crime.

In the developed world it is not blaze. Muhammad may be your religious figure, but he is not mine. Blasphemy should not be a crime.