The Republic Of The Unfaithful artwork will once again be featured on Behemoth merchandise
Adam 'Nergal' Darski, vocalist and guitarist of the Polish black metal band Behemoth, will no longer face trial for allegedly disrespecting one of Poland's national symbols.
Three months ago, Nergal was charged by Polish authorities in a case involving the design "Republic Of The Unfaithful," used in Behemoth merchandise, which they claimed insulted the Polish national coat of arms.
The case was brought to court by the District Prosecutor's Office in Gdansk, in the north of the country, which said it was "a distorted image of the national emblem ." The artwork "included elements and symbols considered satanic and anti-Christian, with the aim of conveying content far removed from historical and state ideology ." Polish symbols are protected against public desecration and insult.
Nergal and Maciej G., the band's webmaster, were accused of publicly insulting the Polish national emblem, which can carry a sentence of up to one year in prison. Graphic artist Rafał Wechterowicz was also accused. All were acquitted.
In 2011, Nergal was acquitted of charges of insulting religious sentiment when he called the Catholic Church "The most murderous cult on the planet" during a band concert and tore up a Bible, saying it was a "Book of lies."
