Tunisia Chief Backs Conviction For Islam Insult

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s presidency is backing a court’s conviction of two men for insulting Islam by posting images of the Prophet Muhammad on Facebook.

Jaber Majeri and Ghazi Jribi were convicted March 28 for “insulting the sacred” by posting images that purportedly showed Muhammad being intimate with one of his wives, Aisha.

They were sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and a fine of $800.

Some in Tunisia say the case is an attack on free expression. But presidential spokesman Adnan Mancer said Friday that attacks on the sacred symbols of Islam are not protected.

He added that such actions come during a delicate period. Since Tunisians overthrew their secular dictatorship a year ago, there has been a resurgence of Islamic piety.