(JNi.media) Journalist Thomas Notarianni, former director of PeaceReporter, sued the newspaper Libero, published in Milan, Italy, this morning, when, in the aftermath of the attacks in Paris, the paper ran the front page headline “Bastardi Islamici” (Muslim Bastards). The complaint was filed against the editor, Maurizio Belpietro, and “all the people to be considered.”
“This hatred is not only dangerous, it’s criminal,” Notarianni posted on his Facebook page. The lawsuit was filed based on Article 403 of the Italian Criminal Code — “insulting a religion by insulting people.” Anyone who publicly insults a religion, through contempt of those who profess it, shall be punished by a fine of €1,000 to €5,000. The law applies a fine ranging from €2,000 to €6,000 to anyone who offends a religious denomination through contempt of a minister.
Belpietro defended himself on Twitter, claiming to have used the term “bastards” in the sense of “illegitimate children.” Or, more precisely, he called “ignorant” the people “who do not know that bastard means illegitimate child.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Notarianni, who nowadays runs the Peaceful Minds Center, on Saturday offered the following as his way of combating ISIS terrorism:
“It’s times like these that we realize the importance of our Peaceful Minds practice. What happened in France is a product of the ego. Our work is to dissolve the ego and then help others do the same. Until we can accomplish this these things will continue as they have for thousands of years. Our hearts and compassion go out to the victims of this egotist blindness. When your grieving is done may you find Peace in your minds and Love in your hearts. With Love and Kindness, Tommy.”