French court: 'Quenelle' comedian can perform controversial show
A French court threw out efforts by authorities to ban a show on Thursday by a comedian whom the government accuses of insulting the memory of Holocaust victims. Interior Minister Manuel Valls, who has been leading the effort to stop a national tour by comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, said he would appeal the ruling.
Local authorities in Nantes had barred the opening date of Dieudonne's tour, following the lead of other cities which also banned his shows on the grounds of risk to public order. His lawyer Jacques Verdier said the court had suspended the ban, describing the ruling as a "total and complete victory" for his client, who has argued his right to freedom of expression was being breached. (Reuters)
