Posted on 04/12/2021 9:59:16 AM PDT by simpson96
An Austrian man who was fined €500 (£425) for loudly farting near police officers has had his fine reduced to €100 (£85) after launching an appeal.
The unidentified man was whacked with a fine in Vienna after 'offending public decency' by 'farting provocatively' at police in June last year.
However, he then challenged the fine, in what must have been a very strange day in court for all concerned.
The man told the courts that breaking wind was merely a 'biological process' - well, you can't argue with that, I suppose.
The man said even if he had done it deliberately, his fart was covered by freedom of expression, thelocal.at reports.
In Austria, freedom of expression is not limited to just speech, but also covers noises and communication in other forms.
Credit: PA Credit: PA But the sound must have 'communicative intent', which this bloke's fart didn't, according to the court.
Nonetheless, the court decided to reduce the fine by €400, taking into account his lack of criminal record.
The judge said that although breaking wind is technically a form of communication it was a 'form of expression that transcends the boundaries of decency'.(snip)
They went on to say the man had acted 'provocatively and uncooperatively' during the incident, which took place on a park bench.
The force claimed the man stood up, looked directly at the officers and 'let go a massive intestinal wind apparently with full intent' after he was asked to confirm his identity.
The police added: "Our colleagues don't like to be farted at so much."
(Excerpt) Read more at ladbible.com ...
Because it was only in their ‘general direction’?................
I can think of worse things that take place on park benches.
Eyeing little girls with bad intent?
Always remember to fart in a respective manner. Maybe say “I made this for you, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”
Jeez. Aussie cops are woke too, I guess.
“Mom, he farted at me! Boo hoo hoo.”
Do not believe everything you read on the internet.
“Abe Lincoln”
“But the sound must have ‘communicative intent’, which this bloke’s fart didn’t, according to the court.”
How can the court say that? He most definitely had communicative intent.
They are at it again in the Homeland.
It must be the sauerkraut.
Not Australian; Austrian.
Lol...
some people and the crap they do...
Ooops.
“Was you gefahrten zu uns? Mutter, hilfe uns. Ich neede safenspacenroums.”
Here I sit, broken-hearted....
"Your Honor, the State intends to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Accused did willfully, and with malice aforethought, break wind in the general vicinity of the Plaintiffs.
Question: How do you prove intent? Maybe he intended to fart, but that doesn't mean that he intended to direct any offense towards anyone.
And it was in a park, for goodness sakes! Not, e.g., in the back of a crowded squad car - or (Um Gotteswillen!) - during a rectal examination.
Regards,
Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes ...
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