At least Val was acquitted:

“A Paris court today acquitted the editor of a satirical French weekly sued by two Muslim groups for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, in a case seen as a test for freedom of expression. Applause broke out in the courtroom at the announcement of the verdict, which ruled that three cartoons published by the weekly Charlie Hebdo in February 2006 were not insulting to Muslims. ”

But the point remains that Val was put through this ordeal (which may not be over, incidentally: there may be an appeal) with the government’s connivance. The chilling effect on other less well-funded individuals is obvious.

The bottom line, however, is that in France, the land of Voltaire, under certain circumstances “offending” a religious group can be, well, an offense. As has been said before, more often than not “offense” in this context is just the old law against blasphemy dressed up in PC camouflage. It’s an affront to free speech, and, particularly these days, a gift to religious extremists. It should be repealed.