Italy's High Court Upholds Ouster of Judge Who Refused To Preside In Court Room With Crucifix

In Italy earlier this week, the Cassation Court-- Italy's highest appellate court-- upheld last year's dismissal by the Supreme Council of Magistrates of Judge Luigi Tosti. According to Life in Italy last Monday, the Court concluded that Tosti was guilty of refusing to perform his judicial duties when, from May 2005 to January 2006 he withdrew from 15 hearings because a crucifix was displayed in the courtroom in which the hearing was scheduled.  Tosti, who is Jewish, argued that the presence of the crosses was a threat to religious liberty. He says he will now take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. (See prior related posting.)