Alert
25 August 2011
SOURCE: Globe International NGO
On August 23, 2011 judge Ch.Khosbayar of Sukhbaatar District Court dismissed the charges in a criminal lawsuit against journalist Bolormaa Damdinsuren of Zuunii Medee (Century News).
Bolormaa published an article on November 8, 2010, issue #267 headlined “The director of the “Mon Uran” Company B.Narankhuu is being investigated by the police organization for a sexual abuse of teenage girls.”
After the publication, Narankhuu filed criminal charges against Bolormaa accusing her of publicly defaming his business and individual reputation.
Narankhuu did not attend the trial himself, but let a representative attended it on behalf of him. The state prosecutor revealed that another G.Narankhuu had been involved in the criminal activities and found the journalist guilty of slander. The prosecutor demanded a four-month sentence. However, the judge noted the journalist did not intend to purposefully defame Narankhuu and so the case could no longer be considered a criminal lawsuit.
Representatives of Globe International and the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia participated as observers. Attorney Mr. Ts.Mongol defended the journalist and Mr. B.Erdenesolongo, deputy chief-in-editor of Zuunii Medee, attended as a witness.
Globe International welcomes the court's decision.