Actors and the producer and director of a US play in Greece that depicted Jesus Christ and his apostles as gay have been charged with blasphemy.
A production of Corpus Christi in Athens was cancelled this month after weeks of almost daily protests outside the theatre by priests and right-wing groups, including deputies from the ultra-nationalist Golden Dawn party.
Charges of “insulting religion” and “malicious blasphemy” have been filed after Bishop Seraphim of Piraeus lodged a lawsuit against those involved in the play, court officials said.
The play’s director said he was stunned that prosecutors had chosen to go after him rather than pursue tax evaders and others blamed for driving Greece to near-bankruptcy.
“What I see is that there are people who have robbed the country blind who are not in jail and the prosecutor turns against art,” Albanian-born Laertis Vasiliou said.
If found guilty, he and the other defendants could face several months in prison. – (Reuters)