I can't make my American brain understand how anyone feels it's a good idea to so closely tie one person's freedoms to another's sensibilities. The court is trying hard for "mutual tolerance" but the law will clearly reward anyone who can establish their indignation.
This consideration is completely foreign as well. "Yeah you got your freedom of thought pissed on but you only had to pay 50 bucks."
56. Lastly, the Court reiterates that the applicant was ordered to pay a moderate fine of only EUR 480 in total for the three statements made, although the Criminal Code alternatively would have provided for up to six months’ imprisonment. Furthermore, the fine imposed was on the lower end of the statutory range of punishment of up to 360 day-fines, namely only 120 day-fines, and the domestic courts applied only the minimum day?fine of EUR 4. Though the applicant had no previous criminal record and this was taken into account as a mitigating factor, her repeated infringement had to be considered as an aggravating factor. Under the circumstances, the Court does not consider the criminal sanction as disproportionate.