Iana Zhdanova, the member of the feminist group Femen, grabbed Baby Jesus at the Nativity scene and was shouting incomprehensible remarks, wearing nothing over her torso. The words "God is Woman" were written on her bare chest, the Daily Beast said.
Police quickly arrested Zhdanova and covered her with a jacket, before putting her in a vehicle. Baby Jesus was promptly returned to his place, Sky News Australia said.
Iana Zhdanova spent the whole night in the jail of Vatican! Freedom to the prisoner of Vatican! #FEMEN pic.twitter.com/FNIMSNGb6b
— FEMEN (@FEMEN_Movement) 26 декабря 2014
Femen is an organization of topless female protesters who oppose the political power of the clergy. The group calls itself "sextremists" and fights against the sexual exploitation of women, defending and promoting women’s rights, including the right to have an abortion and protest against wearing the hijab, albeit in a bit controversial manner, the Guardian said.
The incident is not the first time the topless protesters disturbed the public peace. Last month, three women from Femen performed an extremely obscene protest against the Pope’s alleged attempt to interfere with politics. The women dropped to all fours and started crawling in front of St. Peter's Basilica on St. Peter's Square, wearing only black ankle boots and leather miniskirts. Two of the women had the words "Keep It Inside" written on their backs.