Indonesian Editor Charged With Offending Islam

An Indonesian editor is facing trial for publishing a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad.

Teguh Santosa, the chief editor of the online edition of Rakyat Merdeka, has been charged with offending Islam.

He said he used the image to illustrate a story about how a set of cartoons of Muhammad, first published in a Danish newspaper, had triggered a worldwide controversy.

Many newspapers across Europe - although none in Britain - reprinted the images earlier this year, sparking a debate about freedom of expression as well as fierce protests from Muslims.

Mr Santosa removed the image from his website less than a day after readers complained.

"We just wanted to let people know about the cartoons, which were being strongly protested against at that time," Mr Santosa told Associated Press. "I believe I am innocent and ready to face trial."

Mr Santosa will be tried within the next three weeks and faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment if found guilty, according to his lawyer.

It is against Islamic law to make visual representations of Allah or Muhammad.