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Lawyer Barak Cohen Acquitted After 5-Year Trial Over Song Criticizing Police Officer
Lawyer Barak Cohen was acquitted of insulting a public official after a five-year legal battle stemming from a song he wrote about a police officer. The court criticized the prosecution's decision to indict him, stating that using criminal law to address creative work should be a last resort.
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What happened
- 01Lawyer Barak Cohen was acquitted of insulting a public official after a five-year trial.
- 02The judge criticized the indictment, stating he was "not comfortable with the very filing of an indictment."
- 03Cohen was accused of repeatedly performing a song he wrote criticizing a police officer.
- 04The song was sold on vinyl and performed at clubs and festivals.
- 05The judge noted the "practical absurdity" of prosecuting Cohen when others performed cover versions of the song.
The judge questioned whether the song alone constituted a crime and highlighted the absurdity of prosecuting Cohen when others had performed cover versions. Cohen's claim of selective enforcement was dismissed.
The coverage
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