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Judge Dismisses Fico's Libel Case Over X-ray Cartoon
Tuesday 13 July 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, July 13 (TASR) - Bratislava IV District Court on Tuesday threw out ex-prime minister Robert Fico's libel case against SME daily publisher Petit Press over a cartoon published in the newspaper last year.
Fico had demanded an apology and €33,194 in damages for the cartoon, which was published on July 9, 2009, when the former premier was off work due to severe problems with his neck.
SME cartoonist Shooty showed a doctor examining an x-ray of Fico that had no spine (in Slovakia, people without morals are described as lacking a spine), commenting that the patient was feeling only a phantom pain.
Judge Silvia Walterova said that the cartoon didn't encroach on the personal rights of Fico, who as leader of the strongest Smer-SD party and premier at the time should have been able to put up with a greater measure of criticism. According to her, the cartoon expressed an opinion on the actions and conduct of Fico as premier and not as a private individual.
"The cartoon referred to his public status and didn't mock his then state of health," said Walterova.
Fico's lawyer Zuzana Kupcova said that her client will appeal against the ruling.
The paper's lawyer Tomas Kamenec said that the judgement was correct, legitimate and fair. It is important for Slovakia to demonstrate that it is a law-abiding and democratic state with more respect for liberty than a politician's inner emotions.
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