French paper in court over Muslim cartoons

The legal action by two Muslim groups against a French satirical newspaper has reached court in Paris. The Paris Mosque and the Union of Islamic Organisations of France contend that Charlie Hebdo and its director, Philippe Val, are guilty of slandering Muslims by publishing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. It is an offence in France to insult people because of their religion, carrying a possible six-month sentence and a fine. Charlie Hebdo republished 12 drawings that originally appeared in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. (Via International Herald Tribune)