CAIRO (AP) — A prominent Christian Egyptian media mogul faces trial on a charge of insulting Islam, lawyers said Monday, based on his relaying a cartoon on his Twitter account.The case dates back to June, when Naguib Sawiris posted a cartoon showing a bearded Mickey Mouse and veiled Minnie. He made a public apology after Islamists complained, but his action set off a boycott of his telecom company and other outlets. He said it was supposed to be a joke and apologized, but lawyer Mamdouh Ismail filed a formal complaint against him.
After investigation, the prosecution set the trial for Jan. 14. Sawiris was not available for comment.
The case is linked to developments in Egypt after the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak last February. Sawiris and Ismail belong to competing political parties, and sectarian violence between Christians and Islamists has been on the upswing. In Egypt's parliamentary elections, Islamist parties have won a large majority, leaving liberals far behind.
Sawiris co-founded a liberal party, and Ismail heads a party representing ultraconservative Salafi Muslims.
The case has added to fears among many that ultraconservative Islamists may use their new found powers to try to stifle freedom of expression.
Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Egyptian-Christian-faces-trial-for-insulting-Islam-2450632.php#ixzz1j3RJJuju
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