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Če jim sodišče naloži denarno kazen zaradi povzročene škode, so umetniki izenačeni z vsemi drugimi: kazen ali odškodnino pač morajo poravnati, sicer sledi zaporna kazen. Poskusi nekaterih vplivnežev, da bi umetnike kaznovali z odvzemom pravice do financiranja njihovih projektov iz javnih sredstev, pa so večinoma ostajali na ravni političnih pritiskov.[62]
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If artists are ordered to pay compensation because of damage, they are equated with any other citizen: a fine or compensation must be paid, otherwise they go to prison. However, attempts by some influential persons to punish artists by renouncing their right to receive money from public funds for their projects mainly amounted to no more than political pressure.[63] So far, legal actions were the favourite option of ecclesiastical circles, young sections of Christian-oriented political parties and certain individuals who took it as their mission to legally "protect" Christian symbols from presumed "abuses." Yet, this is not an easy task, given that the Penal Code prohibits the defacing of state symbols, but not of religious symbols.[64] In addition, artists enjoy special immunity as regards the use of symbols for artistic purposes. This immunity is accorded to them by Article 59 of the Constitution ("The freedom of scientific and artistic endeavour shall be guaranteed.") When one knows that this is supplemented with the provision in Article 39 which guarantees "Freedom of expression of thought, freedom of speech and public appearance, of the press and other forms of public communication and expression[,]" and Article 169 of the Penal Code, which stipulates that insults are actionable, but art is exempt under certain conditions, it becomes clear that in a modern liberal state the institution of art has managed to obtain for itself a unique immunity. Viewed from a sufficiently abstract perspective, it is even comparable to the immunity accorded to the deputies to the National Assembly and judges (Articles 83, 134 and 167 of the Constitution). Without this protection, Marko Brecelj could have ended in court for "obstructing a religious ceremony" (Article 314 of the Penal Code), Dean Verzel and Goran Bertok could have been sued for starting a fire (Article 317 of the Penal Code), and the activists partaking in the 'Erasure' action could have ended up in court because by "mounting obstacles on the traffic road" they "endangered people's lives" (Article 327 of the Penal Code). The minimum prison sentence for these offences is one year.
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