According to consequence.net, Behemoth‘s frontman Nergal has once again diminished the charges of allegedly“offending religious feelings” in his native Poland for allegedly displaying a penis crucifix sex-toy sculpture on social media years ago. Last month, Nergal won the appeal for allegedly violating the Polish anti-blasphemy laws, which states: “Whoever offends religious feelings of other people by publicly insulting an object of religious cult or a place for public holding of religious ceremonies, is subject to a fine, restriction of liberty or loss of liberty for up to 2 years.”
Two charges ended in acquittal and a third was conditionally dropped as well. The alleged legal matter stemmed from a video posted to social media where Nergal allegedly waved around the penis crucifix, which was a gift from Celtic Frost’s Tom G. Warrior, while singing a children’s song for International Women’s Day in 2018.
In response to the recent acquittal, the singer offered the following statement on March 8, which marked this year’s International Women’s Day: “In 2018, on this very day, I posted a silly video on Instagram, singing an old children’s song for Women’s Day while waving a certain artifact. Hardly high comedy, but was it blasphemous or shocking? I didn’t think so—but it was enough for a few clowns on the other side to take offense and run straight to court.”
The artist adds: “A certain conservative MEP loudly vowed I’d end up in prison, while the ever-litigious Ordo Iuris joined the choir of the outraged. After years in court and tens of thousands zlotis spent on legal defense, I was fully acquitted just days ago. The verdict is a bittersweet victory tho. I’m glad justice prevailed, glad I put my opponents in their place. But I still consider it as absurd that a mediocre joke in this country can spiral into a costly, nerve-wracking legal battle. Nevertheless, to all the women out there… loooots of love. PS. The artifact in question is a stunning sculpture by my friend and Black Metal legend, Tom Gabriel Fischer. Right now, my lawyers are working to have it returned to me, as it was a personal gift from him.”
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