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Attacker Of Danish Cartoonist Goes On Trial


A man charged with attacking a cartoonist known for his caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad has gone on trial in Aarhus, in central Denmark.

The 29-year-old Somali-born man, armed with an ax and a knife, broke into the home of Kurt Westergaard on New Year's Day 2010, but the cartoonist managed to flee and alert the police.

The intruder, Muhammad Geele, was arrested after being shot and wounded.

He could face life in prison if convicted.

He has admitted breaking into Westergaard's home but says he only wanted to scare the cartoonist.

Wertergaard is the author of one of 12 cartoons showing the Prophet Muhammad that appeared in a Danish newspaper in 2005, sparking a wave of violent protests in several Muslim countries.

compiled from agency reports

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