Zurich Councilor Apologizes for Controversial Pistol Incident

Zurich city councilor Sanija Ameti has apologized and sought police protection after facing backlash over an Instagram post. Photos that were later taken down showed her firing a sport pistol at a poster depicting a 14th-century Madonna and child painting; another image showed bullet holes in their haloed heads. Ameti claimed she chose the poster—for an auction house's upcoming auction of Tommaso del Mazza's "Madonna with Child and the Archangel Michael"—as it was "big enough" for target practice.

The Green-Liberal party has initiated expulsion proceedings against Ameti, and her employer, Farner Group, ended her employment. Images of the incident continued circulating, showing Ameti shooting at the heads and faces of the sacred figures, which sparked condemnation from Swiss bishops and Roman Catholic Church representatives. Ahead of Switzerland's September 22 referendums, her actions have attracted increased attention.

Operation Libero, an advocacy group co-founded by Ameti, condemned her actions as "wrong and inappropriate," emphasizing support for religious freedom. Reports also noted Ameti's history of provocative actions, including wearing military fatigues to events and posting campaign posters in Albania. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)