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WARSAW - A Polish computer programmer could face up to three years in jail for linking a Polish word for penis to the presidential website.
Marek W., 23, created a programme that caused the official home page of Polish President Lech Kaczynski to rank first in the list of results on the Google search engine when "kutas", a vulgar term in Polish, was typed in by an internet user.
The computer programme did something similar to a practice known as "Google bombing" that links the websites of politicians and companies to insulting words or phrases.
He has been charged with insulting the president and prosecutors say he could face up to three years in jail if convicted.
"This is not a matter of freedom of speech," said Andrzej Holdys, a regional prosecutor in the southern town of Cieszyn, where the programmer lives.
"If somebody uses a derogatory word to libel the head of state than it's a clear insult which violates the law."
Police said the suspect confessed to writing a programme to test his skills at creating a Google bomb. Police and prosecutors did not give the programmer's full name, as is usual when someone faces charges in Poland. He has not been detained.
President Kaczynski and his twin brother, the prime minister, have been popular targets for jokes and caricatures both in Poland and abroad. They are referred to as the "ducks" because their name is related to the Polish word for the bird.
Jacek Bialas of Amnesty International in Poland criticised the charges against Marek W.. "If the president felt insulted, he should have sued as a private person," he said.
- REUTERS
