PARIS, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A Paris court acquitted acclaimed French writer Michel Houellebecq Tuesday for allegedly provoking racial hatred with anti-Muslim remarks he made last year.
The Paris correctional tribunal ruled Houellebecq had not incited racial hatred, discrimination or violence when he told the French magazine Lire that Islam was "the stupidest religion," and that he was "shocked" when he read the Koran.
At the same time, the court criticized the writer for his "outrageous" and "scornful" remarks.
"I think Mr. Houellebecq can only celebrate this decision," Houellebecq's lawyer, Emmanuel Pierrat, told France-Info radio, following the ruling.
"He takes on Islam without scorning Muslims," Pierrat added, saying he expected the Ireland-based author would continue to do so "as he has taken on all monotheistic religions."
The acquittal marks a blow for the plaintiffs, which include two French mosques, along with the Saudi-based World Islamic League. Jean-Marc Varaut, lawyer for one of the French plaintiffs, told French media his client would appeal the decision.
But the Paris-based Human Rights League, a "civil party" in the Houellebecq case, said it was satisfied with the ruling.
"We didn't want to condemn Mr. Houellebecq," said Agnes Tricoire, a lawyer for the League. "We wanted to clarify the debate. We were against the fact Mr. Houellebecq hid behind his writer's identity to say whatever he wanted during an interview."
"I think the judgment clearly reflects the principles we defended," she added, "so we are satisfied."
During the trial, 44-year-old Houellebecq defended his right of free speech, and said he didn't scorn Muslims -- only their religion. His argument has won sympathy and support from free-speech advocates and other writers, including Booker Prize-winner Salman Rushdie, whose book "Satanic Verses" won him a death sentence from Iran's leadership.
Houellebecq's "The Elementary Particles" won France's November Prize in 1998 and the prestigious Impac award, the world's richest literary prize. The New York Times described the book as "an original work of art."
It's unclear how the Houellebecq ruling may affect another high-profile trial, again involving anti-Islamic slurs made by a writer.
Celebrated Italian author Oriana Fallaci and her French publishers are also being pursued in France for disparaging remarks against Muslims in her book, "Rage and Pride."
In her book -- a best seller in Italy and Spain -- Fallaci characterized Muslims as "vile creatures, who urinate in baptisteries" and "multiply like rats."
The anti-racist group MRAP, a plaintiff in the Fallaci case, argues the two trials have little in common.
"Mrs. Fallaci's remarks aren't fiction," said MRAP's head, Mouloud Aounit. "She's talking about a certain reality, a reality in which she calls for the death of all Muslims. It's an appeal for hate and racial violence."
A French court is expected to deliver its verdict on the Fallaci case next month.
