Latvian newspaper wins freedom of expression case
By Leah McBride Mensching, Monday 16 July 2007 at 23:41 :: Press Freedom & Laws :: #258 :: rss
A freedom of expression case that began with the July 1998 publication of an article titled “How to steal millions” in the newspaper Diena is finally over.
The article, in which journalist Aivars Ozolins examined the role of Laimonis Strujevics in the privatization of the Latvijas Nafta company, led to a series of other articles, which suggested the process would mean a loss to the state budget of about 8 million lats (nearly 11.5 million euro).
Strujevics began proceedings against the newspaper and Ozolins in April of 1999, asking for a retraction of the information, which he said was defamatory, an apology for statements the articles made and “moral” damages of about 10,000 lats (just over 14,300 euro).
Many hearings and appeals followed, consistently backing Strujevics, and eventually reached the Latvian Supreme Court Senate, which dismissed an appeal by Diena and Ozolins. European judges in Strasbourg overturned that ruling, however, and unanimously decided the case was a violation of freedom of expression of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Diena was awarded 10,292 euro in damages, and 3,000 euro for costs and expenses.
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