That liberté, égalité, and fraternité nonsense only takes you so far.

UPI: Rapper on trial for insulting France

MELUN, France, May 30 -- A French rapper is on trial in suburban Paris on a charge of distributing obscene material to minors for his online video that prosecutors say insults France.

Zaire native Richard Makela, who uses the stage name Monsieur R, has sparked debate about freedom of speech with his video for "FranSSe," a song from his 2005 album, "Politikment Incorrekt," The Times of London reported Tuesday.

Among other things, the video available via the Internet depicts a nude woman writhing against the French flag and includes explicit lyrics about urinating on French historical figures and urges listeners/viewers to insult France.

Conservative Member of Parliament Daniel Mach brought the private prosecution against Makela, 30, who could face thousands of dollars in fines as well as three years in prison if convicted.

Defense attorney Dominique Tricaud told The Times his client was entitled to his freedom of speech and predicted the trial would end in acquittal.