Brno - For showing drastic images of dead bodies in car crashes, TVs and newspapers can be since now on fined with tens of thousands euro.

The Supreme Court accepted complaints raised by parents of a young man who died in the fire in a car crash in 2006. Czech tabloid Šíp published a picture of the man´s dead body on its front page.

The court stated that there was no reason to publish the photo and stressed the importance of piety and discreetness towards mourners.

"It is clear even if the person is dead, family bonds last in the form of piety, or cult so to say and the importance of such bonds is undisputable," explained the court's senate headed by Pavel Pavlík.

Parents: Interference with privacy

The parents demanded that tabloid Šíp apologize for having interfered with their privacy and pay each of them 40 thousands euro (one million CZK).

The case was first discussed by the Regional Court in České Budějovice that decided that Šíp´s publisher Vltava-Labe-Press pay four thousands euro (100 thousands CZK) to each of the parents.

However, the High Court in Prague has reversed the decision and stated that no compensation was needed to be paid. The damage allegedly suffered by the parents was only "subjective" and their privacy was not interfered, explained the court.

"Right to mourn"

Ultimately, the Supreme Court has ruled otherwise, calling the decision of the lower-instance of jurisdiction wrong. The High Court will thus have to revise their decision and this time abide by the Supreme Court's verdict.

The judges of the Supreme Court ruled that by publishing such images, the right for piety and privacy is violated and the parents may ask for apology and compensation.

"In this case, publishing a photograph that shows burnt remains of a tragically deceased son has unjustly interfered with the suitors´ privacy as well as the right to mourn their son," ruled the judges.