Better out than in? Vienna police fine kebab man over loud burp

A man has been fined €70 (£54) for burping too loudly in a Vienna park after feasting on a kebab. Barman Edin Mehic was given a ticket after letting loose within earshot of a policeman on 7 February. The ticket, posted on his Facebook page, says he offended “public decency with a loud belch next to a police officer”.

I guess things can’t be as bad in the area as we read in the papers because if they have time to chase up burping, it means there isn’t anything more serious to worry about.

Edin Mehic

Mr Mehic said he had eaten the kebab and was enjoying a Sunday stroll in the city’s Prater park when he burped and “felt a hand on his shoulder”. According to his Facebook post, the officer was not impressed when he asked why he was not dealing with more serious matters. Police spokesman Roman Hahslinger confirmed the belching offence had taken place. In a quest for justice, more than 100 people have said they will attend a flash mob near the scene of the crime on Saturday.

Vienna burp