Thinking that his troubles were long behind him after being cleared of blasphemy charges in Poland last year stemming from an on-stage incident in which a bible was ripped in 2007, BEHEMOTH front man Nergal is again facing legal issues due to a recent decision by the Polish Supreme Court, and could face up to two years in prison.
The Guardian (UK) reported today that the Supreme Court announced a ruling against Nergal, who potentially could be sentenced to a term of up to two years in jail for tearing up a Bible. Excerpts from the report follow:
Poland’s supreme court has issued a landmark judgment against a heavy metal musician who tore up a Bible at a gig in 2007. Although the judges conceded that Adam Darski, AKA Nergal, did not intend to offend his audience, they ruled that he could still have “offended religious feelings,” violating Polish law. If found guilty, the singer could face up to two years in prison.
After being cleared by judges in 2010 and 2011, the singer/guitarist is again on trial. Officials in Gdansk asked the supreme court how Darski could be “offending religious feelings” if most of Behemoth’s fans expected theatrical sacrilege?
“One should respect the court’s verdict,” Darski told journalists. But the Catholic church is also “immature,” he said, “trying to gag people … [and] freedom of speech.” Speaking to Reuters, Darski’s lawyer said they would continue to oppose the charges: “We are still arguing that we were dealing with art, which allows more critical and radical statements,” Jacek Potulski explained.
Fan reaction on BEHEMOTH’s Facebook page has been swift and angry, with over 300 comments so far blasting the Polish Supreme Court and Nergal’s right to express himself artistically without persecution.
