A Swiss politician has been found guilty by a Zurich district court for shooting at a poster featuring an image of the baby Jesus and subsequently sharing photographs of the damaged artwork online.
Court Delivers Verdict on Religious Freedom Case
Zurich council member Sanija Ameti, 33, was convicted on Wednesday for "disturbing freedom of religion and worship" according to the official court ruling. The independent politician, who previously belonged to the Green-Liberal party, received a suspended fine of 3,000 Swiss francs (approximately £2,830) along with an additional penalty of 500 francs (about £472).
Prosecutors in the case had actually requested a more substantial financial penalty from the court, indicating they viewed the offence as particularly serious. During the hearing itself, Swiss public broadcaster RTS reported that Ameti chose not to speak, maintaining silence throughout the proceedings.
Controversial Shooting Incident Details
The incident occurred in September 2024 when Ameti used a sport pistol to fire at an auction poster displaying details from the 14th-century Italian painting Madonna with Child and the Archangel Michael by Tommaso del Mazza. After shooting approximately 13 bullet holes into the face of the baby Jesus and four into the face of the Virgin Mary, she posted images of the damaged poster to her Instagram account.
Although these images were later removed from the platform, the damage had already been done. The photographs quickly circulated online, creating significant controversy and public outcry across Switzerland and beyond.
Political and Professional Consequences
Following the incident, Ameti issued a public apology and announced her resignation from the Zurich Green-Liberal party on 9 September 2024. However, the political repercussions extended further when the national branch of the party announced it would initiate expulsion proceedings against her on the same day.
The professional consequences were equally severe, with Ameti losing her position in public relations amid the widespread uproar over her actions. Her legal representative and his office have declined to comment on the case despite multiple emailed requests for their perspective.
Religious Community Reaction
The religious dimension of the case attracted particular attention from Switzerland's Catholic community. Kath.ch, the media centre website for the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland, initially reported that bishops had condemned the shooting as an action that "hurt the sensibilities of many Catholics."
Interestingly, Catholic leaders later expressed forgiveness toward Ameti, suggesting a more nuanced religious response to the incident than initial reactions might have indicated.
Ameti's Explanation and Aftermath
In her defence, Ameti explained that she had been practicing shots from approximately 10 metres (33 feet) and selected the poster simply because it was "big enough" for a suitable target. She claimed to have only belatedly realised the religious character of the artwork she had used for target practice.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in modern European society, particularly within the context of Switzerland's unique political and cultural landscape where such incidents attract significant legal and public scrutiny.
