Facebook user sent for psychiatric tests over indecent images

ABU DHABI // A Facebook user who posted indecent images next to verses from the Quran on his profile page is to undergo psychiatric testing.
The Criminal Court of First Instance decided yesterday that the man, who has admitted a charge of electronically attacking Islam, should undergo the tests to determine whether he is aware of his actions.
Police arrested the man, a graphic designer from Egypt, after being tipped off about the offensive posts.
Among the images he posted were photos juxtaposed with the titles of chapters of the Quran.
A photo of three naked women was posted next to An-Nisa (The Women chapter); a photograph of alcoholic drinks on top of a table was posted next to Al Maeda (The Table chapter); and a photo of a cow was posted next to Al Baqara (The Cow chapter).
The man admitted his actions to police and said he was an atheist.
Chief Justice Sayed Abdul Baseer, the head of the Criminal Court of First Instance, asked the man if he would be willing to withdraw his comments and actions. The man replied he would.
When the judge asked if he was suffering from a psychological illness, the man said: "It is possible."
The court adjourned the case to March 13 pending the psychiatric examinations. A lawyer will also be appointed to defend the man.
hdajani@thenational.ae