Lars Vilks arsonists to appeal jail sentences
p2pnet view Freedom | P2P:- Swedish artist Lars Vilks lives under constant threat of death for caricaturing the prophet Muhammed as a dog, among other things.
Top of the list of would-be executioners are supporters of the terrorist group Al Qaeda.
In May his house in Nyhamnsläge, southern Sweden, was set on fire, after which he stated dryly, “It’s obvious this is a high risk area. I guess I’ll just be here at certain times … ”
Now brothers Mensur, 20, and Mentor Alija, 21, jailed for firebombing Vilks’ home, were scheduled to appear in court today to appeal the sentence.
They’d “received two- and three-year prison sentences respectively for attempted arson from Helsingborg district court in July”, says The Local, going on >>>
The Alijas, who are from Landskrona in southern Sweden, were arrested in May after two jackets with a driver’s license, bank account information and keys to the brothers’ home were found outside Vilks’ home.
Both brothers have denied their involvement, even though Mensur Alija reportedly suffered serious burns on the night of May 15th, when the attack occurred. He has claimed he was involved in a barbecue accident.
The Vilks drawing of the Muslim prophet with the body of a dog was originally published by Swedish regional daily Nerikes Allehanda in 2007 “to illustrate an editorial on the importance of freedom of expression”, says the story, adding:
“The drawing’s publication prompted protests by Muslims in the town of Örebro, west of Stockholm, where the newspaper is based, while Egypt, Iran and Pakistan made formal complaints.
“An Al-Qaeda front organisation then offered $100,000 to anyone who murdered Vilks — with a $50,000 bonus if his throat was slit — and $50,000 for the death of Nerikes Allehanda editor-in-chief Ulf Johansson.”
Vilks also had Muhammed dressed up as Santa Clause, “but seems to have escaped retribution for that”, said p2pnet.
would-be executioners – Arson attack on Lars Vilks’ home, May 18, 2010
The Local – Vilks arsonists face appeals court trial, September 6y, 2010
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September 6th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Did Mensur and Mentor animals right activists?
September 11th, 2010 at 2:54 am
Lars Vilks is a hero of freedom.