Adam “Nergal” Darski, the frontman of Polish black metal band Behemoth, has been acquitted of charges for “offending religious feelings” in Poland. The case stemmed from a 2018 video Darski posted on Instagram for International Women’s Day, in which he waved a penis-shaped crucifix while singing a children’s song. The video led to charges under Poland’s anti-blasphemy laws, which can result in fines or imprisonment for up to two years for publicly insulting religious objects.
Last month, Darski was acquitted on two charges, while a third was conditionally dropped. On March 8, Darski responded to the verdict on Instagram. “In 2018, I posted a silly video on Instagram for Women’s Day while waving a certain artifact,” he wrote.
“Was it blasphemous or shocking? I didn’t think so – but it was enough for a few clowns to take offense and run to court.”
Darski criticized the involvement of a conservative Member of the European Parliament and the legal firm Ordo Iuris in escalating the case. He expressed relief and frustration over the verdict after years in court and significant legal expenses.
Nergal’s legal and personal relief
“The verdict is a bittersweet victory. I’m glad justice prevailed…
But it’s absurd that a mediocre joke can spiral into a costly, nerve-wracking legal battle,” Darski said. He noted that the crucifix in question was a personal gift from metal musician Tom Gabriel Fischer, and his lawyers are working to have it returned. This is not the first time Nergal has faced legal issues related to Poland’s blasphemy laws.
In 2010, he was tried for tearing a Bible on stage but won the case. In 2021, he faced similar issues for posting controversial content on Facebook. Behemoth is set to release their 13th studio album, ‘The Shit Ov God’, in May.
Darski commented that the album’s provocative title was chosen deliberately to reject subtlety and make a direct, polarizing statement.