Zurich, January 28, 2026 – The trial of former GLP politician Sanija Ameti began Wednesday at the Zurich district court, stemming from an Instagram post featuring an image of Mary and Jesus that prosecutors allege disrupted religious freedom.
The former politician is on trial for allegedly disrupting religious freedom with an Instagram post, prompting a trial that has drawn notable public attention.
- Sanija Ameti is on trial for allegedly disrupting religious freedom with an Instagram post.
- prosecutors are seeking a conditional fine and a monetary penalty.
- the defense argues AmetiS actions were a result of unresolved war trauma.
- Concerns have been raised about politically motivated complainants influencing the proceedings.
The Controversial Image and Initial Reaction
Table of Contents
The Instagram post, which depicted an altered image of Mary and Jesus, quickly sparked outrage and a wave of criticism. The event, held at a church, has been described as a “shooting exercise.” Many “believing Christians” were also in attendance, according to reports.
Prosecutor Alleges Deliberate Provocation
The public prosecutor’s office is demanding a conditional fine of 100 daily rates of 100 francs, and also a fine of 2,500 francs, for disrupting religious freedom. Ameti declined to make any statements during questioning,leading the judge to forgo reading a list of prepared questions.
The prosecutor argued that Ameti was aware she was photographing the image of Mary and Jesus, dismissing her claim that she did not realize what she was shooting. “Whoever believes it will be saved,” the prosecutor said, adding, “She must have seen the faces of Mary and Jesus, not just a collection of colors.” The prosecutor asserted that Ameti intentionally posted the image to Instagram as a “blatant provocation without a clear motive.”
While condemning the backlash Ameti faced after the post – including the need for police protection “as of a few intellectual low-flyers” – the prosecutor emphasized that Ameti is still subject to the law. The prosecutor also expressed skepticism regarding Ameti’s expressions of regret and public apology, stating she showed “no real remorse” and only acted after realizing her political prospects were at risk.
Defense Cites War Trauma
Ameti’s lawyer argued for her acquittal, asserting that the act of photographing the image was not an attack on religious beliefs but rather a manifestation of war trauma. The lawyer stated the aim of the act was to “free yourself from the dead end of pain,” and was unrelated to blasphemy.
“She got into a state where she only acted mechanically.”
The defense detailed that during the bosnian war, Ameti’s older brother was killed before her eyes, a trauma she had not discussed with anyone for thirty years. The lawyer said she spoke about the event with her mother for the first time after posting the image on Instagram.
“Procedure is Being Misused”
The lawyer further argued that there was no evidence Ameti endangered public peace and suggested the legal proceedings were being exploited for other purposes. “You just have to look at the list of complainants,” the lawyer said, pointing to groups like the junge SVP and Massvoll, who are focused on the issue of remigration.
The public prosecutor’s office is seeking a conditional fine of 100 daily rates of 100 francs and a fine of 2,500 francs for disturbing freedom of belief. (sda)
Why It Matters
This case highlights the complex intersection of freedom of expression, religious sensitivity, and the impact of personal trauma in the digital age. The prosecution’s focus on intent and the defense’s emphasis on psychological factors set the stage for a legal battle that could have broader implications for how online expression is regulated and understood,especially when it touches on deeply held beliefs. The involvement of politically motivated complainants also raises questions about the potential for legal processes to be used to advance broader ideological agendas.
