Man who insulted Islam on Facebook 'not sane'

ABU DHABI // A man who insulted Islam on Facebook is not responsible for his actions, a court heard today.

A medical report presented to the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court found that an Egyptian graphic designer, who posted indecent pictures next to the titles of Quranic chapters, could not be considered sane.

The court asked for the medical report after a previous hearing in which the man admitted it was "possible" that he was suffering a psychological illness.

He confessed to posting the images, telling Chief Justic Sayed Abdulbaseer, head of the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court, that he would withdraw his actions if he could.

Police arrested the graphic designer after members of the public complained about the posts. In one of them, he posted a photo of three naked women next to An-Nisa (women) chapter. In another he posted a photo of a table topped with alcoholic drinks next to Al Maeda (table) chapter, and in another, a cow next to Al Baqara (the cow) chapter.

The court adjourned the case to May 1.

hdajani@thenational.ae