Jordanian cartoonist questioned for alleged offensive drawing

AMMAN — The Amman general prosecutor on Tuesday questioned Jordanian cartoonist Imad Hajjaj on charges of slandering religion and inciting sectarian strife in connection with an alleged cartoon he published that was deemed offensive to members of the Christian community.

Hajjaj was summoned on Monday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) shortly after reportedly publishing a cartoon on his Facebook page that depicted Jesus Christ on the cross saying “I am Christ the son of Mary declare my innocence (literal translation but it means disowns) from Patriarch Theophilos III and all of those who were involved with him in selling the noble Greek Orthodox Church to the Israeli occupation.”

A Christian citizen filed a complaint against Hajjaj and he was summoned by the CID for questioning and was referred to court the following day.

“Hajjaj pleaded not guilty to the charges when questioned about the cartoon by Prosecutor Raba Kilani,” Hajjaj’s Lawyer Mahmoud Quteishat said.

Quteishat added that Kilani is expected to hear more witnesses in the case and either “dismiss the case, keep the charges or add more”.

“We will wait and see what the prosecutor will decide about my client,” Kilani added.

Hajjaj, who has been a cartoonist for 25 years and is the president of the Jordan Cartoonist Association, remained free without bail after being questioned.

“I never intended to insult the Christian religion. On the contrary, I was defending Christians from the treason of the land sale by the Orthodox Church to the Israelis,” Hajjaj told The Jordan Times.

He added that “certain individuals used the drawing to provoke people and misrepresent what I meant.  Therefore, I immediately took down the cartoon and apologised for any misunderstanding that has been caused because of this,” Hajjaj added.

If convicted, Hajjaj could face imprisonment from one up too three years, according to his lawyer.

Jordan Press Association (JPA) President Rakan Saaydeh told The Jordan Times that the association is following up closely with Hajjaj.

“I have personally been with him since the beginning of the interrogation and in court, and we believe this cartoon was taken out of context,” Saaydeh said.

The JPA president added that “the association is convinced that Hajjaj’s cartoon is in no way insulting to the Christian religion. On the contrary, he was defending their property at the Orthodox Patriarchy in Jerusalem”.

“We will always fight for the freedom of expression as long as it does not affect others,” Saaydeh told The Jordan Times.