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Timothy Nerozzi


NextImg:Swiss city councilor charged after shooting image of Jesus

A city councilor in Switzerland is being charged with “disturbing religious freedom” after sharing a video of her firing dozens of rounds into an image of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus.

Sanija Ameti, a member of the Zurich municipal council, unloaded a sporting handgun into a poster advertising the auction of Tommaso del Mazza’s 14th-century painting “Madonna with Child and the Archangel Michael.”

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She posted a video of the shooting on social media in September, prompting backlash that eventually forced her to take the post down and request police protection.

Now, the progressive politician is facing a police indictment under the Swiss Penal Code that considers her actions an “attack on the freedom of faith and the freedom to worship.”

Sanija Ameti, Co-President In Operation Libero, poses for a portrait on Nov. 2, 2021, at PROGR in Bern. (Christian Beutler/Keystone via AP, file)

According to Article 261 of the code: “Any person who publicly and maliciously insults or mocks the religious convictions of others, and in particularly their belief in God, or maliciously desecrates objects of religious veneration, any person who maliciously prevents, disrupts or publicly mocks an act of worship, the conduct of which is guaranteed by the Constitution, orany [sic] person who maliciously desecrates a place or object that is intended for a religious ceremony or an act of worship the conduct of which is guaranteed by the Constitution, shall be liable to a monetary penalty.”

Ameti now faces a fine of 12,500 Swiss francs, approximately $15,600.

The city councilor was formerly a leader in Zurich’s Green Liberal Party but resigned and left the cause following the scandal.

She is also a high-ranking leader of Operation Libero, a progressive-liberal organization that advocates an “open society” defined by free movement into Switzerland and an embrace of multiculturalism.

Ameti was born into a Muslim family in the former Yugoslavia. She came to Switzerland as a child in 1995 and was later naturalized as a Swiss citizen.

In past interviews, Ameti has expressed appreciation for her Islamic upbringing but said she identifies as an atheist.

She has apologized multiple times for desecrating the image of Jesus, previously claiming that she only chose the poster due to its sufficient size for practice shooting.

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Bishop Joseph Bonnemain of Chur, Switzerland, said Ameti wrote him a letter expressing remorse.

The prelate told Catholic News Agency Deutsch that he forgives her and encourages other Catholics to do the same.