Swedish court upholds sentences for arson attack on artist's home

Sep 23, 2010, 11:18 GMT

Stockholm - An appeals court Thursday upheld the sentences against two brothers sentenced in July for an arson attack this spring on the home of a Swedish artist who depicted the prophet Mohammed as a dog.

Lars Vilks has generated controversy and received numerous threats since 2007 for his drawing of Mohammed.

The appeals court in Malmo, southern Sweden, sentenced the older brother, 21, to three years, while his 20-year-old brother received a two-year jail term for the attack.

Vilks was not at home at the time of the May attack. The facade of his house was slightly damaged when a lit, petrol-filled plastic bottle was thrown through a window of the house, igniting a curtain.

When the appeals court hearing opened earlier this month, the brothers' lawyers asked that the two be acquitted, or that their sentences be lowered.

The prosecution had wanted to add six months to each brother's sentence.

The brothers denied the attack, but evidence linked them to the crime scene. Police found the men's jackets near the house, containing cash cards and keys.

Further, an investigation of a computer in their home showed it had been used for several searches related to Vilks.

The younger brother was also treated for burn injuries at a hospital in Helsingborg shortly after the attack.