Bible-ripping rock star cleared in court

Nergal; photo - behemoth.pl

A district court in Gdynia, northern Poland, rejected an appeal against the singer yesterday, with the judge ruling that the action was “a form of art” consistent with the style of the band.

The original incident occurred at a concert in Gdynia in 2007. While informing the audience that the bible was “a deceitful book” and the Church itself “a criminal sect” the frontman proceeded to tear up the tome, casting pages into the audience. The singer then launched into a song entitled “Jerusalem.”

Judge Krzysztof Wieckowski noted that Christian members of the audience had not been offended by the action.

However, former MP Ryszard Nowak, who filed the original case, said that he was “shocked” by the court's decision. Nowak, a prominent campaigner against sects, had gained some support amongst local MPs from the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS).

Excerpts from the concert were illegally uploaded onto the internet and hence used as evidence against the singer.

Following yesterday's ruling, Darski, who has a master's degree in history, declared his contentment on Behemoth's website.

"I'm so glad to see that intelligence won over religious fanatics in my home country,” the singer commented, although he claimed that “there's still so much work to be done to make things right.”

The 34-year-old, who recently had a bone transplant after being diagnosed with leukemia, concluded that “the battle is won, but the war ain't over,” before signing out with the words “Heil Satan.” (nh/pg)