Last week, Poland’s Supreme Court ruled that Behemoth frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski committed a crime when he tore up a copy of the Bible and called it a “book of lies.” This took place even after Nergal was found innocent TWICE. Well as it turns out, even the European Commission finds the charges absurd.
According to the EU Observer, the European Commission declared that Poland’s prosecution against Nergal for “blasphemy” is against European values in a statement issued October 31. Though noting that “national blasphemy laws are a matter for the domestic legal order of the member states,” the European Commission did add that EU countries must respect international pacts, citing the European Convention of Human Rights (a Poland-signatory treaty attached to the Council of Europe on freedom of expression). “This right protects not only information or ideas that are favorably received or regarded as inoffensive or as a matter of indifference, but also those that offend, shock or disturb,” the Commission added.
Behemoth shared the EUobserver story via Facebook, with Nergal himself having the following to say:
“As some of u know, I’be been battling this bullshit for a few years now. Things r getting more serious and… dangerous. Anyways, looks like freethinking wins over obscurity in the end. If not in Poland, at least in Europe… Read and share. Wanted to thank u for all the words of support and encouragement. This means everything to me. Onward to victory! Hail Freedom!”
Granted, this doesn’t change the fact that a court in Poland is prosecuting Nergal (again). Still, it’s great to hear that the European Commission (the EU’s executive body responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding official treaties and more) is speaking in defense of the Behemoth frontman.
