Behemoth are once again facing pressure from the Polish government over a creative entity. Earlier this week, frontman Adam ‘Nergal’ Darski was summoned to a prosecutor’s office in the city of Gdansk for questioning about a piece of merch that resembles Poland’s official coat of arms.

In early 2010, Nergal was famously held on trial for blasphemy charges in Poland after ripping up a Bible onstage and calling it a “book of lies.” Nergal eventually got away unscathed from that legal issue, as charges were dropped. Now, the singer is being questioned for Behemoth potentially disrespecting Poland’s White Eagle.

Poland Coat of Arms
Poland Coat of Arms
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Behemoth’s "The Republic of the Unfaithful" t-shirt design showcases a demonic eagle wrapped with two snakes behind an inverted cross, and it’s all featured on a red coat of arms background. According to Nergal, the shirt is Behemoth’s highest-selling shirt, but the band “sadly” no longer sells it. Before heading to the prosecutor’s office on Oct. 30, Nergal shared a social media post with fans:

"So here I go again. On my way to the prosecutors office in Gdansk to be questioned as a suspect in 'The republic of the unfaithful' case. Me and my partner in 'crime'
Maciek Manticore Gruszka is showing up too. Several individuals have been already questioned including heraldists who have made their statement clear: THIS IS NOT A POLISH EMBLEM. Apparently it’s not nuff for the decision makers in the court. Are they looking for a scapegoat? Is this another attempt of the Polish government to convict Nergal and give an example for other artists? What’s the hidden message of those actions may I ask? 'Do NOT fuck with us?' 'Polish emblem as well as other religious symbols are meant to be untouchable?', 'art has its strict borders and thou shalt obey Nergal!?' Weird times, weird country, weird vibes… I do NOT feel safe and comfortable here I must admit but do I feel guilty? Fuck no. I worship the reason and I’m a massive fan of logic therefore it is OBVIOUS that the eagle that has NO crown can NOT be a Polish emblem. Period. Sadly we have stopped selling shirts with this motive (but hey, it’s ALREADY the best selling shirt in our catalogue! huurraaay!) but what we r gonna do with fans who have tattooed 'The republic of the unfaithful' on their back? Shall we arrest them? Peel the skin off? Cover it up? These rhetorical questions I’m gonna leave unanswered here and go to do what I do best: piss stupid people off with sincere and honest art and I shall NEVER give up on my freedom to do so. 'Do what Thou wilt shall be the whole of the law!' Enjoy your day folks!"

Stay tuned to Loudwire for all updates on this potential legal situation.

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