by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

PARIS, France–

The French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has sparked outrage in Russia after this week’s publication, which depicted images about the Russian plane crash in the Sinai desert. One image shows debris and body parts raining down on a member of ISIS, while the other shows a skull with a pair of sunglasses with the crashed plane in the background. A spokesman for the Kremlin commented that the cartoons were unacceptable, and that the message it sent had nothing to do with freedom of press or self-expression. The Kremlin, however, does not plan on filing a formal complaint against Charlie Hebdo.

http://twitter.com/DeccanChronicle/status/662621784345300992/photo/1

The Russian plane involved in the crash was headed for St. Petersburg shortly after leaving Egypt. All 224 people on board were killed as the plane crashed into the Sinai Peninsula. Most of those on board were Russian citizens.   Although the cause of the crash has not been determined, international authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a bomb. An Islamic State leader affiliated with the Sinai Province faction claimed responsibility for the crash.

The magazine’s editor in chief, Gerard Biard, criticized the Russian government for “using Charlie Hebdo to create a controversy where none exists, which is the usual manipulation you get from totalitarian regimes… This magazine is supposed to be irreverent, and we respect the values of democracy and freedom of expression, which the Russian powers that be … do not.” He further commented that it was absurd to use the tone of the cartoons as a point of contention, as their entire publication is based on satire and the freedom of expression. Biard also mentioned that the Russian government was using this incident as a means to distract from real issues that the government was avoiding.

The French foreign ministry remarked that French publications are “free to express their opinions,” and that they would not be getting involved. The Kremlin has asked the French government to apologize for Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons on the matter.

For more information, please see

BBC– Russia hits out at Charlie Hebdo over crash cartoon— 06 November 2015

Huffington Post– Charlie Hebdo Angers Russians With Cartoons Of Egypt Plane Crash— 06 November 2015

New York Post– Charlie Hebdo cartoon of downed jetliner infuriates Russia— 06 November 2015

The Guardian– Russia condemns Charlie Hebdo for Sinai plane crash cartoons— 07 November 2015

Author: Impunity Watch Archive