Rome: Amatrice, the Italian town devastated by last month's deadly earthquake, is suing French weekly Charlie Hebdo for defamation over a series of cartoons about the disaster.
The satirical magazine caused an outcry in Italy by publishing three pasta-themed cartoons on the subject of the quake, including one portraying victims crushed under layers of lasagna.
"It amounts to a macabre, tactless and inconceivable insult to the victims of a natural catastrophe," the town council's lawyer, Mario Cicchetti, told reporters after the largely symbolic legal move was announced.
Published only days after the quake struck on August 24, killing nearly 300 people, the cartoons struck a raw nerve, notably prompting Interior Minister Angelino Alfano to say he knew where the authors "could stick their pencils".
The French publication responded with a follow-up cartoon showing a woman crushed under ruins and the caption: "It is not Charlie Hebdo who builds your houses, it is the mafia."
There was no immediate response from the French publication to the suit.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The satirical magazine caused an outcry in Italy by publishing three pasta-themed cartoons on the subject of the quake, including one portraying victims crushed under layers of lasagna.
"It amounts to a macabre, tactless and inconceivable insult to the victims of a natural catastrophe," the town council's lawyer, Mario Cicchetti, told reporters after the largely symbolic legal move was announced.
The French publication responded with a follow-up cartoon showing a woman crushed under ruins and the caption: "It is not Charlie Hebdo who builds your houses, it is the mafia."
Advertisement
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Biggest Earthquake In 40 years Shakes Volcanic Fields Near Italy's Naples 4.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Central Italy, No Immediate Damage Reported Italy Court Blames Quake Victims For Own Deaths: Reports Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP West Bengal Forms Seven-Member Panel To Review New Criminal Laws US Military Declares End Of Troubled Gaza Aid Pier Mission What Is PM SHRI? Which States Resisted Centres Showcase Schools Scheme Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.