Day: May 16, 2010

Sweden: R.E.A.L. Condemns Violence Against Cartoonist Lars Vilks

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) condemns the violent attack against Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks in May 15, 2010 arson attempt at his home.  We urge all those who promote hate and violence to release such burdens from their heart, and choose love, not hate.  Love Wins.

News media reports:

— Mohammed cartoonist’s home attacked with firebomb — Lars Vilks
— Arson attack on house of Swede who caricatured Mohammed
— Sweden: Death threat, arson attack against Swedish Mohammed cartoonist

— Swedish Muhammad cartoonist says he doesn’t feel safe at home after arson attack
— Two arrested over attack on cartoonist
— Sweden: Two suspects arrested in arson attack

— Två anhållna för Vilksattack

— Två anhållna för attentatet mot Vilks

See also:

Cartoon Contests and Human Dignity – by Jeffrey Imm

— April 5, 2010: “Sweden: Muslim community fears violence after attack on elderly couple”

Suspect in Arson Attack, Threats against Lars Vilks (Photo: Thomas Friström / Mediabasen)
Suspect in Arson Attack, Threats against Lars Vilks (Photo: Thomas Friström / Mediabasen)

Michigan mosque vandalism twice in one week

— Detroit News: Vandals hit Downriver mosque twice within a week
— Detroit News reports “Brownstown Township — Police are investigating two incidents of vandalism that happened within a week at a local mosque.”
— “Windows were broken and doors were smashed at the Masjid Umar-bin-Khattab Mosque on May 9 and again on Saturday, with the second attack caught on videotape, said spokesman Muhammad Khan.”
— “‘You can see five young persons on the recording,’ Khan said.”

France: Teacher Clotilde Reiss released from Iran, ‘deal’ claims

News media reports on May 16, 2010 that French teacher Clotilde Reiss has been released from Iran, after being sentenced on May 15 to two 5 year sentences for participating in protests in the disputed national re-election and working against “national security.”  The Daily Telegraph is reporting of beliefs in a “deal” between Iran and France, involving France’s decision not to extradite an Iranian engineer to the United States who had purchased military electronics from U.S. firms for Iran. An Iranian who was convicted of the murder of a former Iranian prime minister is scheduled to be paroled on May 18.   Reuters has since reported that such “deal” claims are being denied by France.  French President Sarkozy has thank Brazil, Senegal, and Syria for helping in Clotilde Reiss release.   See also reports from AP, BBC, and the Guardian.

France's Clotilde Reiss has been held prisoner in Iran
France's Clotilde Reiss has been held prisoner in Iran

Previous R.E.A.L. postings:

Iran: Court in Iran refuses to release French student Clotilde Reiss

Iran: French student Clotilde Reiss’ ‘confession’ at Iran court sparks outrage

Iran: France demands release of student Clotilde Reiss by Tehran