A Spanish priest, Father Custodio Ballester, has been found guilty of making statements labeled “Islamophobic” and now faces a possible prison sentence of up to three years and financial penalties.
The case centers on remarks Ballester made in a 2016 article titled “The Impossible Dialogue with Islam” and comments during a 2017 appearance on the online talk show La Ratonera.
In his 2016 article, Ballester wrote, “Islam does not allow for dialogue. You either believe or you are an infidel who must be subdued one way or another.” Spanish prosecutors argued that his comments violated Spain’s hate-speech laws by promoting hostility toward a religious group.
Ballester, who has denied any wrongdoing, maintains that his words were not discriminatory but rather a warning about religious extremism.
Speaking to the Catholic News Agency after his conviction, he said, “The survival of freedom of expression in today’s Spain depends on the ruling in this case. Otherwise, we’ll be headed toward a new Cuban dictatorship—one where you were arrested for what you said as well as for what you thought.”
He added that his statements “have never been discriminatory or hateful.”
The complaint filed by the Association of Spanish Muslims Against Islamophobia and reviewed by the Provincial Court of Málaga. Two other defendants, Father Jesús Calvo and journalist Armando Robles, were also charged in connection with the same case.
The trial took place on October 1, 2025, and sentencing has not yet been announced. Ballester has said he intends to appeal the ruling and, if necessary, take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.
Canada may be on the cusp of a crackdown on freedom of expression.
On September 19, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, to combat rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other biases amid a 2024 surge in hate crimes (4,882 reported).
Key provisions define "hatred" in the Criminal Code, criminalize willful promotion of hate via public display of terrorism/hate symbols and protect access to places of worship, schools, and community centres from intimidation/obstruction.
It establishes standalone hate-motivated crime offenses, easing prosecutions by removing Attorney General consent requirements.
Penalties: Up to life imprisonment for severe hate-motivated crimes (e.g., threats); 10 years for intimidation/obstruction; 2 years less a day for lesser cases.