I’m a bit late with this one but a Paris Court has acquitted (via) satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo of charges brought by the Paris Grand Mosque and the Union of French Islamic Organisations (UOIF) after the magazine printed the Muhammed cartoons as part of a a cartoon row special.

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.

The case was seen as an important test for freedom of expression on France and many - including a group of 50 intellectuals and the candidates in next month’s French presidential election - lined up to support the magazine.

Philippe Val, the editor of Charlie Hebdo welcomed the ruling and said it would open a much-needed debate among Muslims in France.“If you believe as we do that Islam is perfectly compatible with French democracy, such a debate is a blessing,” he said.

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