A Swiss politician has been convicted and fined for firing a sport pistol at an auction poster featuring a 14th-century painting of Madonna and Child, subsequently posting images of the damaged poster online. The incident, which occurred in September 2024, has sparked significant controversy and legal repercussions.
Court Ruling and Penalties
Sanija Ameti, a 33-year-old independent Zurich council member who was formerly affiliated with the Green-Liberal party, was found guilty on Wednesday by the Zurich district court. The court convicted her of "disturbing freedom of religion and worship" in its official ruling.
She received a suspended fine totalling 3,000 Swiss francs, which is approximately equivalent to $3,900. Additionally, Ameti was ordered to pay a separate penalty of 500 francs. Prosecutors in the case had initially sought a more substantial financial penalty, but the court imposed this lesser sentence.
Details of the Incident
The controversial event took place when Ameti used a sport pistol to fire at an auction poster that displayed details from the artwork "Madonna with Child and the Archangel Michael." This painting was created by the 14th-century Italian artist Tommaso del Mazza.
After the shooting, images showing the damage to the poster were uploaded to Instagram, though these were later removed from the platform. Ameti subsequently issued an apology for her actions, but the incident had already generated considerable public outcry.
Consequences and Reactions
The fallout from the shooting and online posting was immediate and severe. Ameti lost her position in public relations as a direct result of the controversy. During the court hearing, Swiss public broadcaster RTS reported that she remained silent and did not speak in her own defence.
Religious authorities responded strongly to the incident. Kath.ch, the media centre website for the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland, initially reported that bishops had condemned the shooting, stating that it had hurt the sensibilities of many Catholic believers. However, Catholic leaders later expressed forgiveness toward Ameti.
The politician's legal representation did not respond to emailed requests for comment from The Associated Press following the court's decision. Ameti explained that she had been practising shots from approximately 10 meters (33 feet) away and selected the poster simply because it was "big enough" for a suitable target. She claimed to have only belatedly realised the religious significance of the imagery she had targeted.
