French judges on Wednesday acquitted nine Femen activists who staged a topless protest in Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral last year, but gave suspended fines to church security guards for “manhandling” the activists as they removed them.
The Femen protesters entered Notre Dame on February 12, 2013 dressed in long coats, which they removed once inside, revealing anti-church and anti-pope slogans painted on their upper bodies.
They began screaming “Pope no more!”, “No more homophobe,” and “Bye bye Benedict!” – reportedly in response to Pope Benedict's resignation announcement – while using sticks to hit one of the huge bells, on display for the 850th anniversary of the cathedral.
The activists were quickly herded out of the church by security guards as shocked and outraged worshippers and tourists looked on.
However, since the self-professed “sextremists” were charged with property damage to the bell, rather than with obscene acts in a public place or incitement to religious hatred, the judges found insufficient evidence that the scratches on the gold covered bell were caused by the actions of the protesters, since pictures of the attack appear to show the ends of their sticks covered with felt.
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The prosecutor had requested fines of 1,500 euros against each activist on charges of damaging property, but, according to Italian news source Tempi, in throwing out the case the judges ordered that the protesters be compensated with 1,500 euros each.
Moreover, the three guards who escorted them from the church were charged with using excessive force and convicted of “mild violence.” They were given suspended fines of 1,000 euros (about $1,300), 500 euros, and 300 euros.
Inna Shevchenko, the head of the Femen movement in France, said she was “very happy, very satisfied” with the verdict.
“The Femen will continue, that's for sure,” Shevchenko told French news service The Local.
The lawyer for Notre Dame, Laurent Delvolvé, said prosecutors will appeal the ruling.
“Notre Dame is a place that is open to all, but must be respected by all. It is not a place of demonstration,” he said, according to the Associated Press.