Behemoth frontman Nergal, aka Adam Darski, has once again fended off charges of “offending religious feelings” in his native Poland — this time for displaying a penis crucifix sex-toy sculpture on social media years ago.
Last month, Nergal won the appeal for violating the Polish anti-blasphemy laws that 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. The legal matter stemmed from a video posted to social media in which Darksi waved around the penis crucifix — a gift from Celtic Frost’s Tom G. Warrior — while singing a children’s song for International Women’s Day in 2018.
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In response to the recent acquittal, Darski offered the following statement on social media on Saturday (March 8th), 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.
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 an 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.”
Nergal has faced numerous accusations of “offending religious feelings” in Poland over the years — the most serious coming after he ripped up a Bible onstage in 2007.
He has also been acquitted of allegedly insulting the Polish coat of arms via Behemoth merch designs, and of another religious incident involving social media in which he shared a photo of his foot on a painting of the Virgin Mary. Not that he’s necessarily shied away from blasphemous intent over the years. After all, Behemoth’s upcoming album is titled The Sh*t Ov God. (featuring our latest Heavy Song of the Week “The Shadow Elite”).
Behemoth will embark on the European/UK “Unholy Trinity” tour with Rotting Christ and Satyricon in early April. Tickets are available here.
Check out Nergal’s statement on social media below.
