FEMEN Topless Activists Begin Trial in Tunisia, Amid Little Sympathy from Citizens

By Maxine Wally | Jun 05, 2013 11:48 AM EDT

Femen

Three European women who have been charged with public indecency after protesting topless in front of Tunisia's Justice Ministry on May 29 began their trial Wednesday.

The women, all members of the Ukrainian-based feminist group FEMEN, demonstrated against the incarceration of their fellow FEMEN member Amina Tyler-a Tunisian woman who put up topless photos online in March, the words, "my body is my own and not your honor," written on her chest.

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For conservative and primarily Islamic Tunisia, both displays were met with shock. A crowd formed around the women as they climbed up the iron wrought gates in front of the Justice Ministry the day of the protest. Many bystanders tried to cover them up.

Now, the three are on trial for not only public nudity, but also for attacking public morals.

During Pauline Hillier, Marguerite Stern and Josephine Markmann's trial Wednesday, religious activists demonstrated outside the courthouse, rallying against a plight that has gained scarce sympathy amongst the greater portion of Tunisians.

"How can you defend those women?" the BBC reported one protester shouted at FEMEN's lawyers. "You are not Tunisian; you are not Muslim."

The women appeared in the same court where they first protested, wearing traditional Tunisian white veils.

Witnesses told Associated Press reporters that one European woman held a sign speaking of support for the feminist group, but was quickly mauled by the mob. Police promptly escorted her away.

According to AP, some Islamist groups are currently passing around petitions, in efforts to delay the trial so they can join as plaintiffs.

Tunisian law states that outside parties or organizations can join a case as "injured parties," with jurisdiction to see all files involved in the trail and a right to sue for damages. Bringing in the new plaintiffs will most likely lengthen the time of the trial.

Amina Tyler will go before a judge in Kairouan on Wednesday as well, convicted of public indecency and desecrating a cemetery, in addition to her previous charge for carrying pepper spray.