Media reports Russian billionaire filing law suit against German reporter
Date
10/16/2024 5:40:28 AM
(MENAFN) Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has taken legal action against a journalist from the German television channel ARD, following a recent court ruling in his favor in a libel case. According to reports from the tabloid Bild, Usmanov has filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor’s office in Cologne, Germany, targeting journalist Hans-Joachim Seppelt.
The legal battle began earlier this month when the District Court of Hamburg ruled in Usmanov's favor, determining that ARD had published unreliable information in two articles and a video report accusing the businessman of orchestrating a scheme to manipulate referees during the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The court found the allegations to be based on suspicion rather than factual evidence, leading to a ban on the distribution of the contested material. Furthermore, ARD faces a potential fine of up to EUR250,000 (approximately USD274,000) or imprisonment for non-compliance with the ruling.
Usmanov's attorney, Joachim Steinhofel, criticized Seppelt and ARD for what he described as a violation of fundamental journalistic standards. He characterized the insinuations made against Usmanov as "malicious" and devoid of factual backing, stating that the intent was to tarnish the billionaire's reputation rather than pursue legitimate journalism. "That’s not journalism, that’s a disgrace," Steinhofel asserted in his remarks to Bild.
Usmanov, known for his prominence in the sports world, previously served as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) until 2022, when he stepped down after being placed on the European Union’s sanctions blacklist. The controversial reports from ARD referenced claims made by Georgian fencer Sandro Bazadze, who alleged that he had unfairly lost a match in the round of sixteen. However, the President of the Georgian Fencing Federation, Merab Bazadze, later retracted these claims, describing them as emotional and issued an official apology to the FIE.
As Usmanov continues to pursue legal action, this case highlights the broader implications of media coverage and reputational risk in the context of international business and sports, particularly as tensions between Russia and the West persist. The outcome of this lawsuit may set a precedent for how allegations involving high-profile figures are reported and scrutinized in the media.
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