29. 08. 2012

NUNS QUESTIONS LEGALITY OF VERDICT

Belgrade, August 29, 2012 (Danas) - Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) said yesterday that the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office had filed a claim for protection of legality regarding the verdict delivered in the case of journalist Lazslo Sas.

NUNS notes that the verdict does not explicitly presents reasons and criteria under which the court established that the addresses of the defendant on the account of Lazslo Torokai were offensive.

NUNS also points to the failure to take into consideration of legal provisions that provide for the grounds for exclusion of criminal act of libel in that case. The association of journalists also warns that such verdict is in direct contravention to the practice of the European Court of Human Rights, in the aspect of journalist expressing his opinion on the public person and issues of public interest.

The verdict sentenced Sas to a fine, however, as he could not pay it, the verdict was replaced with the punishment of 150 days in prison, starting from July 20. He was however pardoned by the Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on August 3.