Kadhafi wins lawsuit against Moroccan newspapers
2009-06-29
A Casablanca court on Monday (June 29th) ruled in favour of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi in his lawsuit against independent dailies Al Jarida Al Aoula, Al Ahdat Al Maghribia and Al Massae, AFP reported. Kadhafi had sued the Moroccan newspapers for publishing what he claimed were "attacks on the dignity of a head of state". The Arabic newspapers were fined a total of 3m dirhams. In addition, the papers' managing editors and two reporters were each ordered to pay fines of 100,000 dirhams. The National Union of the Moroccan Press protested outside the court after the verdict was announced.
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Anonymous Posted 2009-06-30
Without being a lawyer, I can say that the ruling made by Casablanca's court has no legal value and is based on an erroneous interpretation of the law. Kadhafi cannot go after the Moroccan newspapers for "attacks on the dignity of a head of state" because he has never ceased repeating that he is not the head of state and that he has no official function. He always presents himself as the "guide"... a guide to whom you can give a tip if you want, or nothing if you do not feel like it. The above concerns his nonexistent function as head of state; let us now examing whether his dignity exists. The court did no invite any experts to establish if it did exist, but let us remember certain facts that could shine some light on this question. Former president of Egypt, Sadat, repeated at every opportunity that Kadhafi was mentally ill because he fell off a camel when he was a child, smacked his head against a stone and the never got care. Kadhafi never went after him. On 9 April 1986, former US president, Reagan, qualified Kadhafi as the "mad dog of the Middle East". Does this constitute an attack on his dignity? Kadhafi never went after Reagan either - not during his presidency and not after. Why? Did Kadhafi not have dignity in 1986? Did he only get it later? If such is the case, what day did he get it? Kadhafi never officially announced the day he became dignified. This day remains unknown so that the ruling by Casablanca's court is null and void.
SIMO Posted 2009-06-30
There are "leaders" who excel at moving unseen, at sneaking around in light of the incalculable number of stupid things they have done and the ridiculous situations they have gotten themselves into, especially when they hold positions of responsibility at the local or, worse, national or international level. It is truly a shame that being ridiculous does not kill. If it did, it would have the advantage of freeing the people from certain incorrigible mentally ill people and, moreover, from truly ridiculous, stupid, evil despots. Poor Maghreb! Poor Arabs! PS- If a court official comes looking for me to deliver a summons, I am sleeping in a big tent in the middle of Paris... or Rome... or Tripoli!!!
Alami mehdi Posted 2009-06-30
The national and international community needs to once and for all understand that the Arab countries and their kings and leaders are being targeted by the politico-military manipulations of the Zionists, both domestically and abroad. In Morocco there are two subversive headquarters against the Moroccan regime and they are hidden behind the veil of the delegations at Hay Mohammadi and Casa-Anfa. This is where the threats against the regime in Rabat come from. And, even though they are targeted, the authorities are asleep, irresponsibly leaving things to be. Is there a Royal Moroccan Army, or is King Mohamed VI asleep or is everyone closing their eyes to the coups d’état being readied against this august person?
Acharif Moulay Abdellah BOUSKRAOUI Posted 2009-07-04
May praise be to God alone - I would have personally preferred that our journalists take part in the building up of the Maghreb and our union instead of making provocations that can go so far as to be uncontrollable by anyone. What do we have to gain from this? ...Nothing but a loss. Our diplomatic and neighbourly relations are at their best with our Libyan brothers. I would have preferred that the Moroccan press did not take advantage of the freedom of expression to sow discord, trying to create a diplomatic crisis between Morocco and the Libyan Jamahiriya. This will never happen because our relations are very solid. Morocco is a country that has always done its all to realise an Arab Maghreb Union. So, who benefited from this incident? Of course, the Polisario and the enemies of our territorial integrity! What did our journalists gain apart from selling a few articles and making Morocco lose a great ally to our number-one national cause: the Moroccan Sahara? So, have a little intelligence: the freedom of the press is for those who use it to benefit the entire nation and for the Arab Maghreb Union, not to abort the dreams of millions of Maghreb people who wish for this union. And why did they do it precisely at this time? I therefore say to our Libyan brothers that in Morocco our newspapers have great liberty, but our independent, fair courts are ready to retake the high road for all those who have gone off track. To our journalists I say that in a world where everything has gone up in flames like a powder keg, be the firemen and do not try to light matches. Libya is Morocco's friend and brother country, and it is country led by a man of great wisdom, a man who deserves all the respect of not only the Libyans, but also all Maghreb people and the entire world.
hassan Posted 2009-07-07
I prefer an attack on the freedom of the press to an attack on the interests of Morocco. Let us mind our own problems and give a good example of good neighbourliness.
ANA Posted 2009-07-13
Kadhafi was not the one who "won" his lawsuit against the Moroccan press; it was the Moroccan legal system!!! It had Khadafi win this stupid lawsuit, which was against the freedom of expression, against the right of journalists to exercise their profession and against the rights of Morocco, Libya, the Arabs and everyone in general, as we are normal people just like everyone. We are self-respecting human beings. Poor Morocco! Poor K.. K... Kidhifi!
BOUTABA BRAHIM Posted 2009-07-22
It is as it is, always ,and nothing changes , in our Arab world. Mr colonel Gaddafi ,should be a shame ,when he speaks about democratie and the folks rights in his speech and the green book. the first freedom is FREEDOM of EXPRESSION
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