Tags: EU | Austria | Free Speech

European Court Rejects Austrian's Case over Prophet Slur

Thursday, 25 October 2018 08:39 AM EDT

BERLIN (AP) — The European Court of Human Rights says an Austrian woman's conviction for calling the prophet of Islam a pedophile didn't breach her freedom of speech.

The Strasbourg-based ECHR ruled Thursday that Austrian courts had "carefully balanced her right to freedom of expression with the right of others to have their religious feelings protected."

The woman in her late 40s, identified only as E.S., claimed during two public seminars in 2009 that the Prophet Muhammad's marriage to a young girl was akin to "pedophilia." A Vienna court convicted her in 2011 of disparaging religious doctrines, ordering her to pay a 480-euro ($547) fine, plus costs. The ruling was later upheld by an Austrian appeals court.

The ECHR said the Austrian court's decision "served the legitimate aim of preserving religious peace."

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


GlobalTalk
The European Court of Human Rights says an Austrian woman's conviction for calling the prophet of Islam a pedophile didn't breach her freedom of speech.The Strasbourg-based ECHR ruled Thursday that Austrian courts had "carefully balanced her right to freedom of expression...
EU,Austria,Free Speech
131
2018-39-25
Thursday, 25 October 2018 08:39 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved