Rue89 is now €30,000 richer than it might have been if Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva might have won her defamation case.

On July 1st, defendant Rue89 won the libel case brought upon the French news website for journalist Augustin Scalbert’s article that called plaintiff Lola, daughter of Uzbek leader Islam Karimov, a “dictator’s daughter.”

“The court confirmed that what I wrote in my article is true. We have won,” journalist Augustin Scalbert said.

Uznews also informs that Pierre Haski, Rue89’s editor-in-chief, said “previous hearings in May had all but destroyed the claims made by Karimova.”

For neweurasia’s background on the case: click here.

neweurasia also covered a major court-house controversy: Lola used letters from the EU and UN in support of her case – but so unrightfully so that the INGOs publicly expressed their disappointment. It looks like Karimova-Tillyaeva’s sly use of the letters indicates she might have actually been the one practicing a sort of libel.

Reporters Without Borders commented on the final verdict:

“This verdict was the logical outcome of a trial in which the plaintiff failed to prove that the article was defamatory. We nonetheless regret that the court did not accede to the defence lawyer’s request to convict Karimova of bringing an improper lawsuit.”

Scalbert told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: “the court ruled that we can write that she is the daughter of a dictator so we’re going to keep writing that.”

See below some translated comments (RUS-ENG) left by readers on three Uznews articles:

“Лола Каримова – дочь диктатора” – “Lola Karimova – the daughter of the dictator” :

02.07.2011 Эльдар (Eldar) : “That’s strange… I don’t think that political scientists and daughters themselves are so dumb to not being able to predict a 100% fail of the case (I can say it as a lawyer and we were taught to evaluate chances in advance). That’s why I think that Lola filed a case knowing she was going to lose it. The question is: “Why?” Black PR? I don’t think that this kind of PR could be used to raise a popularity; on the other hand, knowing how witty “the wisest of the wisest” is, this trial fail will turn out to be a win in some other field. To deal with the Orient is a sensitive thing.”

02.07.2011 ксения (kseniya) responded to Eldar saying that : “Lola filed a case because she did not have enough in her brains. She thought that since blasphemer international organizations support her fund, they would support her “image.” Second, she always wants to get a revenge over her older sister. Third, they are far away from the reality – that happens to everybody who abuse their authority.”

03.07.2011 Uzbek : “If Lola is dictator’s daughter then Obama’s daughters are daughters of bloodsucker.”

03.07.2011 ABC : “Bravo!!! So what’s next???? Everybody knew that Lola would lose. Well, for a month or two they will talk about that [court’s verdict]! They will forget about it as they forgot about [Andijani events of 2005], as well as what happened in Kyrgyzstan. Karimov will stay in power; Lola is dictator’s daughter; Europeans will continue their blasphemy.”

“Rue89: “Мы выиграли!” – “Rue89: “We won!”” :

01.07.2011 Еврей (Evrey, Russian for Jewish) : “Long live French court! Talking about Lola – a good portion of a belt punishment awaits her at home))))))))”

01.07.2011 Бабур (Babur) : “She’s got what he deserved – it couldn’t be anything else! Oh God, please give her as much stupidity as needed so that she would appeal to a higher instance!”

Today [July 1, 2011] a stone of Uzbekistan’s future was laid for the first time! The court’s decision will be attached to the greater “Uzbek Nurnberg” for [President] Karimov’s crimes!

01.07.2011 Тоза-баш (Toza-bash, Uzbek for Clear Head) : “I’m very happy – that’s a just decision of the court! I hope that’s the beginning of the end of the regime. From now on, sober minds/powers of Europe are with us!”

01.07.2011 Stig : “LET MORE FRENCH MASS MEDIA SPREAD THE NEWS AROUND THE WORLD!
LET PEOPLE FROM OTHER CONTINENTS BE SURE THAT KARIMOV IS A DICTATOR!”

“Rue89 уверен в победе над Лолой Каримовой” – “Rue89 confident of victory over Lola Karimova” :

01.07.2011 pravoved (Russian for Lawyer) : “What’s the use of it for ordinary Uzbeks? Everybody knew about a dictator and his daughters without a trial !!“

So, what do you think? Leave a comment and tell neweurasia your thoughts on the final results of this Karimova-Tillyaeva versus Rue89 battle of words and name-calling case.