Football fans fined for insulting Poland’s PM

Published on 16/03/2013 02:58

Human rights campaigners have criticised the Polish justice system after a court found 11 football fans guilty of breaking a Communist-era law by calling the prime minister a “moron”.

During a demonstration protesting against the closure of a football club, the fans had turned their ire on Donald Tusk, chanting “Donald is a moron” and called for football fans to “overthrow the government”. The court fined them between £100 and £200.

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights criticised the judgment, stating that the fans’ actions should be “tolerated in a democratic society”.

The fans’ lawyer said he would appeal, saying it was wrong that his clients had been punished when far worse behaviour
occurred in parliament.

Mr Tusk described the current situation as “stupid”.

“I can live with it [the insult],” he said. “At the next meeting of ministers I will propose to amend the criminal code.”