Swiss politician fined for shooting a pistol at Madonna and Child poster
Sanija Ameti, fined CHF 3,000 with a suspended sentence, faced political fallout after shooting a religious poster and posting images online, violating freedom of religion.
- On January 28, 2026, Zurich District Court convicted Sanija Ameti, Zurich council member, for firing at an auction poster and posting the images online in a 2024 case.
- In September 2024, Sanija Ameti explained she had been practicing shots from about 10 meters at a reproduction by Tommaso del Mazza, only belatedly realizing its religious character.
- The court imposed a suspended sentence of 60 daily fines of CHF50 each, plus a suspended total of 3,000 Swiss francs and an extra penalty of 500 francs, after prosecutors sought larger fines.
- After the ruling, Sanija Ameti quit the Liberal Green Party amid expulsion proceedings, lost the public relations job she held, and will not seek re‑election in the municipal vote on March 8.
- Church media reported bishops condemned the act for hurting Catholic sensibilities while some Catholic leaders later expressed forgiveness, and images posted to Instagram were subsequently removed as prosecutors sought harsher penalties.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Politician convicted for repeatedly shooting at poster of baby Jesus
A Swiss politician has been convicted for shooting a poster featuring an image of the baby Jesus and posting photos online. Zurich council member Sanija Ameti was given a suspended fine for “disturbing freedom of religion and worship”, the Zurich district court said in its ruling on…
The defense attorney requested her acquittal, emphasizing that she suffered psychological trauma in childhood that has left her with indelible scars, referring to the brother that Sanja Amety lost in the Bosnian war.
A local Swiss politician, Sanija Ameti, has been fined for violating religious freedom. She used an image of Jesus and Mary as a target during a private air pistol shooting exercise, posting photos of the incident on Instagram.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left, 39% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
