On May 3, 2012, Tunisian courts will announce the verdict in the trial of Nabil Karoui [1], owner of the private channel Nessma TV [2], who has been prosecuted for broadcasting the animated film Persepolis [3] by Marjane Satrapi.
Scenes in the film depict God visiting in a dream and appearing in human form. The broadcast created a lot of anger [4], and a complaint was filed by 144 lawyers [5] and others. The trial was delayed many times, but the verdict will be announced [6] on May 3 – which is World Press Freedom Day [7]. If convicted, Karoui faces up to three years in prison [8].
Persepolis was broadcast at around the same time that Ennahda [9] won a majority of seats in parliament, and some saw it as a political statement associating Tunisia with Iran, and a warning for Tunisians to “stay moderate and vigilant” [1].
In a blog post entitled “Nessma Trial: Luckily the Ridiculous Doesn't Kill” [11] [fr], blogger and activist Lina Ben Mhenni commented on the trial proceedings:
Maître Raja Haj Mansour a été la première avocate de la partie civile à donner un plaidoyer comique dans lequel elle a expliqué que son fils a fait trois nuits blanches successives après avoir regardé le film “Persepolis” et que c'est lui qui lui a demandé de porter plainte contre Nabil Karoui. Par la suite d'autres avocats ont donné des plaidoyers dignes du Moyen-Age.
Myriam Meziou joked:
@myriammeziou [12]: le fils de Raja mansour a eu une crise car il a vu persepolis!!!! que va-t-il lui arriver qd il regardera son 1er Porno? #nessma
Doctor and politician Zeineb Turki wrote:
@ZeinebTurki [13]: Il est utile de rappeler qu'il ne s'agit pas du procès de #nessma ni de celui de #Persepolis mais celui de la liberté d'expression
From Paris, Anissa B. tweeted:
@beautifultango7 [14]: Verdict due today in #Persepolis trial. Key test of freedom of speech in #Tunisia. #NessmaTV
The following video [15] from Nawaat [16] features protests against the broadcast of Persepolis:
UPDATE: Nabil Karoui has been fined [17] [fr] 2,400 dinars (1200 euros). His lawyer will appeal.
Some reactions:
@HouyemTN [18]: Condamner le film #Persepolis en taxant Nabil Karoui, quelle décision honteuse. Vive la #liberteDexpression. #Nessma #Tunisie
@Artkore_ [19]: 2400 DT… C'est le prix de la Libérté d'expression ? Faites Des Réserves #Nessma #freepress
@FelFel_ [20]: Bref, je pense que le verdict est “un joli” compromis. #NessmaTrial
@Out__rage [21]: Dans l'affaire #Nessma, tout le monde s'en sort. Sauf la liberté d'expression. C'est seulement le début de l'agonie chers compatriotes.