Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Two Malaysian filmmakers behind a banned indie movie touching on differences and similarities between various faiths, including Islam, were charged in court on Wednesday for hurting religious feelings.
Director Khairi Anwar Jailani, 31, and producer Tan Meng Kheng, 36, could face a one-year jail term if found guilty. Both pleaded not guilty to the blasphemy charge in a packed magistrate’s court in the capital Kuala Lumpur and were freed on bail.
In court documents seen by AFP, the duo is alleged to have “deliberately intended to hurt other people’s religious feelings by uttering words and placing objects in the person’s sight.”
No other details were provided. “It is a dark day for filmmakers. We will challenge the charges vigorously in court,” said their lawyer N. Surendran, adding that the case could stifle the growing local film…
