Alert — Mongolia
15 October, 2012
SOURCE: Globe International

Globe International is deeply concerned about the criminal defamation charges brought against female journalist D.Bolormaa from Zuunii Medee (Century News) daily newspaper. The Sukhbaatar District Court convicted the journalist under Article 111/2 of the Mongolian Criminal Code and sentenced her to pay compensation 61 times higher than the minimum wage (approx. US$8.5 mln).

On 8 November 2010, Bolormaa published an article in Zuunii Medee newspaper's issue, headlined "The director of the 'Mon Uran' Company B. Narankhuu is under investigation by the police for sexually abusing teenage girls."

After the publication B.Narankhuu filed criminal lawsuit against the journalist accusing her of defaming his business and individual reputation publicly.   

At the first hearing which held on August 2011, the case was dismissed by the Sukhbaatar District Court, which notes that the journalist had no intention of defaming Narankhuu on purpose. Narankhuu than appealed to the Capital City Court. After reviewing the case in February 2012, the Court transferred the case to the First Instance Court for re-investigating.

“During the hearing I said Narankhuu that I can not ask to forgive. Because I do have facts and belief that he is someway relevant to this case. I do not pursue my own interests. Human trafficking, specially trafficking of teenaged girls is most concerned issue in the society. As a result of withstanding it I was convicted.” Bolormaa said.

Meanwhile, the claimant B.Narankhuu was elected as a parliament member in June 2012`s election.

Bolormaa`s attorney Ts.Mongol said “We will appeal the sentence.”

Meanwhile, Globe International has been launching campaign Ask on decriminalization defamation with the support of IFEX. More information at https://www.gic.mn/en/post/r/942

Globe International NGO
Chingeltei district, 6th khoroo,
Diplomat 95 Complex, Entrance 5, #59, 
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Phone: +976 11 324764, +976 11 324627
Fax: +976 11 324764
E-mail: hnaran@globeinter.org.mn
globemon@gmail.com
globenews@globeinter.org.mn
http://www.gic.mn