TUNIS, Tunisia — A mob attacked the home of a Tunisian television station owner with firebombs Friday, after protests against a film his channel aired.

The channel Nessma reported that around 100 people attacked the home of station owner Nabil Karoui at night, hurling firebombs and forcing his wife and children to flee out the back.

Karoui, who has apologized for airing the movie “Persepolis,” which religious conservatives deem blasphemous, was not at home at the time.

Earlier in the day, Tunisian police used tear gas to disperse thousands in the capital protesting against the film following weekly prayers.

The demonstrations and home assault represent an escalations in tensions liberals and religious conservatives ahead of Tunisia’s landmark Oct. 23 election for a constitutional body that will determine the future of this North African nation that overthrew its longtime dictator in January.

Worshippers poured out of al-Fatah mosque in downtown Tunis in the afternoon and began protesting after the imam preached against “Persepolis,” calling it a “serious attack on the religious beliefs of Muslims.”

Marjane Satrapi’s award-winning adaptation of her graphic novels about growing up during Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution contains a scene showing a character representing God. Depictions of God are considered sacrilege in Islam.

The film won the jury prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.


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