German prosecutors back off Madonna for crucifixion scene

There will be no German investigation into pop star Madonna's current concert tour, which features a mock crucifixion scene, prosecutors said Monday.

While the scene may be "hurtful to religious people," it does not indicate a criminal offence and is covered by laws protecting artistic freedom, said Johannes Mocken, a spokesman for prosecutors in Duesseldorf.

About 45,000 fans attended the U.S. performer's concert at Duesseldorf's LTU Arena on Sunday night — the first of two German dates on Madonna's Confessions world tour. Next, she is scheduled to hit the city of Hanover on Tuesday.

The performance segment in question involves Madonna, wearing a crown of thorns, pinned to a massive mirrored cross, while she sings her song Live to Tell and images of child poverty flash on screens around her.

'Close to blasphemy'

Critics have already condemned Madonna for the scene at several other concert stops, including in the U.S. and in Italy. In Rome, the segment drew criticism from Roman Catholic, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders, who condemned it as disrespectful and "close to blasphemy," especially since the concert site was located near the Vatican.

However, a spokesperson for the singer has insisted that the performance is not disrespectful toward the Catholic Church.

Madonna, 48, has courted controversy throughout her career.

In 1990, Toronto police threatened to arrest her for simulating masturbation on stage.

She has also been criticized for her music videos, including the 1989 video for Like a Prayer, which was also condemned by the Vatican and features burning crosses, religious statues crying blood and Madonna seducing an actor portraying a black saint.