Swiss politician fined for shooting a pistol at Madonna and Child poster

Swiss Politician Fined for Shooting at Religious Artwork Poster

A Swiss politician has been convicted and fined after firing a sport pistol at a poster depicting a 14th-century religious painting and sharing images of the damaged artwork online, a case that sparked outrage among religious communities in Switzerland.

Sanija Ameti, a 33-year-old independent Zurich council member who previously belonged to the Green-Liberal party, received a suspended fine from the Zurich district court on Wednesday for “disturbing freedom of religion and worship.” The court ordered Ameti to pay a suspended fine of 3,000 Swiss francs (approximately $3,900) plus an additional penalty of 500 francs.

According to court documents, prosecutors had sought a more substantial financial penalty. Swiss public broadcaster RTS reported that Ameti remained silent throughout the proceedings, choosing not to address the court. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Ameti’s legal representative for comment were unsuccessful.

The incident occurred in September 2024 when Ameti used a sport pistol to shoot at an auction poster featuring “Madonna with Child and the Archangel Michael,” a religious work by 14th-century Italian painter Tommaso del Mazza. She subsequently posted photographs of the damaged poster on Instagram, though these images were later removed from her account.

Following public backlash, Ameti issued an apology for her actions. However, the controversy surrounding the incident had already cost her a position in public relations as many viewed the act as deliberately disrespectful toward religious imagery.

The Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland initially responded strongly to the incident. According to kath.ch, the official media platform for the Swiss Catholic Church, bishops condemned the shooting as offensive to Catholic sensibilities. In a notable development, Catholic leaders later expressed forgiveness toward Ameti.

In her defense, Ameti claimed she had been practicing target shooting from approximately 10 meters (33 feet) away and selected the poster simply because it was “big enough” to serve as a suitable target. She maintained that she only realized the religious significance of the image after the incident.

The case has sparked discussions across Switzerland about the boundaries between artistic expression, religious sensitivity, and public conduct by elected officials. Religious leaders and cultural commentators have weighed in on whether Ameti’s actions constituted a deliberate provocation or a thoughtless mistake.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing European debates about religious symbolism in public spaces and the responsibilities of public figures toward diverse faith communities. Switzerland, with its multicultural population, has previously navigated tensions around religious expression and secular values.

Legal experts note that Switzerland’s laws regarding religious freedom include protections against deliberate disrespect toward religious symbols, reflecting the country’s commitment to safeguarding religious dignity while balancing free expression.

Ameti’s case highlights the potential consequences public figures face when actions perceived as disrespectful toward religious imagery gain social media attention. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly digital content can amplify controversial actions, particularly those involving culturally significant or sacred symbols.

The court’s decision to issue a suspended fine rather than a more severe penalty suggests an acknowledgment of Ameti’s claim that she did not initially recognize the religious nature of the image, while still holding her accountable for the distress caused to religious communities.