Confronting Bodies: Greek courts
Date of Action: January 2003
Specific Location: Greece
Description of Artwork: An illustrated book depicting a religious satire about Jesus life. Haderer does not offend the religion in any way but gives a different view of Jesus life. He portrays him as a happy friend of Jimmy Hendrix or as a surfer, sliding over the smooth sea.
Description of Incident: In 2003 the illustration book The life of Jesus, by Gerhard Haderer was censored. These drawings caused a furor among some Greek circles and the author almost went to jail. Actually, Haderer did not even know that his book was published in Greece until he receives his summons, in order to appear in the Athens court in January 2003 accused of blasphemy.
Results of Incident: He was initially sentenced to 6 months to 2 years. In the end, Haderer wins the lawsuit and the distribution of his book is allowed.
Source: http://www.grreporter.info/statiaen.php?mysid=1881&t=2&
Submitted By: Teresa Koberstein, NCAC