Zagreb (IKA) — The Government of the Republic of Croatia rejects and distances itself from the manner in which the weekly magazine Nacional has become involved in the case of the publication of caricatures of the prophet Mohammed, according to a statement issued today, February 7, by the Government Office for Public Relations. “Regardless of the motive of the editorial board, the Government of the Republic of Croatia is of the position that articles that disparage and mock another religion, nationality, race or world-view should not be published. The Government of the Republic of Croatia shall always represent and fight for the full freedom of the media but this freedom must also include responsibility for that which is published. The Government of the Republic of Croatia expresses its sorrow due to the fact that a Croatian weekly magazine has become involved in this case,” reads the statement.

The cited caricatures of the prophet Mohammed were published on
the cover page of the most recent issue of the political weekly National, that is published in Zagreb.