Doctor Peter L. Acquitted of Incitement Charges

Bratislava, 22 August (TASR) - Doctor Peter L. has been acquitted of incitement charges by Bratislava I Municipal Court on the grounds that the alleged act did not constitute a criminal offence, TASR reported after the main hearing held on Friday. The verdict is not final yet, as the prosecutor immediately appealed, meaning that the case will now be referred to Bratislava Regional Court. "The court's decision confirms that I did not commit any crime," said Peter L. The indictment is based on Peter L.'s statements at a public gathering in Bratislava in December 2020, when he called on people not to respect the measures that were in place against the spread of COVID-19. He urged them to "do the opposite of what they're asking. Let's gather, let's not wear masks, let's not get tested, let's not get vaccinated when there's no guarantee of safety". In the reasoning for his acquittal, the court found that the Public Health Authority (UVZ) lacked a mandate to impose mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, Peter L.'s conduct could not constitute the crime of incitement. "UVZ can impose mask-wearing only as personal protective equipment, for example in a factory where it serves to protect the respiratory tract from dust, etc. However, it must be directly related to harmful factors of the production process," the judge explained. At the initial hearing, the doctor pleaded not guilty. His defence team considers the indictment to be unlawful, incomplete and unfounded. jrg/df/ko