The top prosecutor in Denmark announced on Wednesday that he will not press any charges against the Danish newspaper that published cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad that resulted in angry and sometimes violent protests throughout the Muslim world.
The Danish Foreign Ministry issued a warning to Danes traveling abroad saying the decision not to prosecute could result in 'negative reactions' against Danes.
Director of Public Prosecutions Henning Fode released a statement saying, 'My decision is that there is no violation of the said rules of the Danish Criminal Code.'
A regional prosecutor ruled that the cartoons were protected under free speech laws. Fode's decision upheld the regional prosecutor's ruling of January 7.
Some Muslim groups said they may raise the issue at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.
In his decision, Fode said that 'Jyllands-Posten' had been wrong to print the cartoons, especially the one depicting Muhammad wearing a turban shaped like a bomb which he said, 'may with good reason be understood as an affront and insult to the Prophet who is an ideal for believing Muslims.'
Fode also noted, however, that 'such a depiction is not an expression of mockery or ridicule, and hardly scorn within the meaning of section 140 of the Danish Criminal Code.'
Sunni Muslims do not allow any visual depiction of Muhammad or other religious figures for fear of encouraging idolatry.
Carsten Juste, the editor-in-chief of 'Jyllands-Posten' was pleased with the ruling. He told the Associated Press, 'I hope that all critical Muslims read the ruling in full, because it states very clearly what freedom of expression in Denmark is about.'
It remains to be seen if the decision will prompt additional protests and fallout.
