The Valais judicial authorities have received a criminal complaint against the satirical weekly. Charlie Hebdo after the publication of a cartoon deemed offensive by Swiss citizens. This cartoon had been published following the tragedy that occurred in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, where a fire in the bar Le Constellation caused the death of around forty people and injured more than a hundred.
A drawing at the heart of the controversy
Last Friday, Charlie Hebdo shared on its platforms a drawing by cartoonist Éric Salch depicting two severely burned skiers hurtling down a slope, accompanied by the inscriptions "Burnt victims go skiing" et "The comedy of the year", in reference to the French comedy Les Bronzés go skiing (1979). This publication, released on the same day as the national funeral in Switzerland, quickly sparked a strong reaction of indignation on social media.
The complaint was filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Canton of Valais by writer Béatrice Riand and lawyer Stéphane Riand, both residents of Valais. They believe the cartoon violates Article 135 of the Swiss Penal Code, which penalizes the production and dissemination of violent images that seriously undermine human dignity. The plaintiffs emphasize that the drawing does not merely denounce violence, but "Neutralizes the violence experienced through laughter" without significant cultural or informational value.
In the text of their denunciation, they act "not only as citizens of Valais, but also as parents in solidarity with the immeasurable suffering of the families affected by the tragedy"They are demanding that a criminal investigation be opened and that, if necessary, compensation be awarded by the State to the victims.
