Peru Wants Jail For Nude Woman Using Flag As Saddle

A nude woman photographed using Peru's flag as a saddle while mounted on a horse will face charges that could put her in jail for up to four years for offending patriotic symbols, says the country's defense minister.

The suggestive shot of the woman was splashed on the cover of 'DFarandula' magazine and has caused a political uproar as Peru prepares to celebrate the 187th anniversary of its independence from Spain on Monday.

"These are patriotic symbols that demand total respect, and using them improperly requires punishment," Defense Minister Antero Flores told reporters. "This is an offense."

Flores has ordered a public prosecutor to take up the case and file charges, but the woman says it was patriotic of her to pose for the photo: "I haven't committed a crime. I love Peru and show it with my body and soul."

Mario Amoretti, a well-known lawyer, said it depends in part on how Peru's red-and-white flag was used: "It's one thing to cover your body with the flag, but quite another thing to be naked and using it as a horse's saddle."

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