The Supreme Court has postponed issuing of the ruling in a high-profile case of printing shop owner who refused to print out posters for LGBT foundation. The court has found Adam J. guilty, but abstained from setting a punishment. The sentence reversal in favour of the printer was submitted by the Prosecutor General, Zbigniew Ziobro.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court heard each of the parties: State Prosecutor’s representative, plenipotentiary of the organisation that was refused printing of posters, as well as the printer himself and his lawyer.
Complexity of the case
"I’m a Catholic, I have respect for all the people, including homosexuals, but my conscience forbids me to promote such behaviour," said Adam J. before the Supreme Court.
After a short deliberation, the court decided to postpone issuing the verdict until 14 June "due to the complexity of the case". Supreme Court Judge Andrzej Ryński said "the case requires considering all of its aspects and reviewing rulings in similar cases, also by international courts."
The first ruling in this case was given in June 2016. The district court issued a writ ordering the printer to pay 200 zloty fine, but the ruling was rescinded after the man contested it. In March 2017, the district court found Adam J. guilty for the second time, but abstained from setting a punishment.
Freedom of conscience
In May 2017, the Regional Court in Łódź sustained the ruling by the District Court for Łódź-Widzew, and found Adam J. guilty of misdemeanour of "premeditated and unjustified refusal of service he was legally obliged to provide", according to Article 138 of Misdemeanour Code. This court also abstained from setting punishment and stressed, that regardless if the case was about refusing to print out a roll-up for LGBT foundation or a poster for pro-life movement, it should be judged exactly the same. On the grounds of erroneous understanding of freedom of conscience.
In September 2017, the Prosecutor General submitted the reversal in favour of Adam J. "I find this ruling wrong, as it violates the constitutional rule of freedom of conscience," said Zbigniew Ziobro. He added: "It’s not about any prejudice against one community or the other. It’s about the principles." He pointed out, "everyone today has a choice, especially when it comes to such common services like printing. If someone is refused service, they may go to the competition".
Autor: gf / Źródło: tvn24
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: tvn24