A Spanish actor has appeared in court after a group of Christian lawyers complained about him making comments online that he would excrete on Virgin Mary and God.
Willy Toledo has been charged with offending religious feelings and freedom of conscience, as well as of obstruction of justice for not attending two previous hearings.
The Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers filed a complaint in 2017 after Toledo showed anger over the trial of three women who had protested against the Church's discrimination against women. Their charges were dropped in October.
Showing support to the women, Toledo commented: ""I s***on God, and I have enough s*** left over to s*** on the dogma of the sanctity and virginity of the Virgin Mary. This country is unbearably shameful. I'm disgusted."
In a Madrid court on Monday the 49-year-old said he did not intend to offend Christians.
"My intention was to exercise my right to freedom of expression. Not to offend anyone. Neither the Catholics, nor the Muslims, nor the followers of the flying spaghetti monster sect," he said.
The actor's lawyers have asked for an acquittal.
