Lebanese journalist Dima Sadek given one-year prison sentence for defamation


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Prominent Lebanese journalist Dima Sadek has been sentenced to a year in prison by a Beirut judge after the leader of one of the country’s largest political parties accused her of defamation and slander.

Sadek, who plans to appeal, was also ordered to pay 110 million Lebanese pounds (about $1,200 on the parallel market) to the Free Patriotic Movement led by Gebran Bassil.

Mr Bassil filed his lawsuit in 2020 after Ms Sadek described FPM supporters as “Nazi-like” and racist after an attack, in the coastal town of Jounieh, on two men from the northern city of Tripoli.

Jounieh is a predominantly Christian town while Tripoli is a largely Sunni Muslim city. The FPM is one of the largest Christian-led political parties in Lebanon.

Sadek said that one of the men who was attacked was forced to say “Aoun is your God and the God of Tripoli”, in reference to FPM founder Michel Aoun, president of Lebanon at the time.

Upon filing the lawsuit, Mr Bassil, who is Mr Aoun’s son-in-law, condemned “the publication of a video, falsely attributed to the FPM, including incitement to hatred and racism, which could give rise to a sectarian conflict”.

Sadek said the sentence handed down by Judge Rosine Hujaili set “a very dangerous precedent for the freedom of journalism, media and expression in Lebanon”.

The sentence was condemned by independent MPs and some Lebanese political parties, particularly those traditionally opposed to the FPM.

Amnesty International criticised what it described as the act of “criminalising freedom of expression”.

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Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
  1. Steve Baker
  2. Peter Bone
  3. Ben Bradley
  4. Andrew Bridgen
  5. Maria Caulfield​​​​​​​
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  8. Nadine Dorries​​​​​​​
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  16. Jacob Rees-Mogg
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The chef's advice

Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.

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Bio:

Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour

Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people 

Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite food: Fish and vegetables

Favourite place to visit: London

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

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Emirates exiles

Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.

Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.

Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.

Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Updated: July 12, 2023, 11:30 AM`