Greek prosecutor charges blasphemy over Jesus play

November 16, 2012 @ 7:28 am

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A Greek prosecutor is pressing blasphemy charges over a troubled Athens performance of an American play that portrays Jesus as gay.

Court officials say no one yet specifically faces the misdemeanor charge, as is allowed by Greek law. Police were tasked Friday with identifying production and cast members who could be summoned to stand trial.

Performances of U.S. playwright Terrence McNally's play "Corpus Christi" were cut short last month after protests by Christian activists and ultranationalists, who claimed it insulted their faith.

Opening night was cancelled after dozens of protesters, including several lawmakers with the far-right Golden Dawn party, harassed cast members and theater-goers, screaming homophobic and racist obscenities.

The charges of malignant blasphemy and insulting religion carry a maximum two-year prison sentence.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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