U.K.’s High Court of Justice has issued an order in favor of Saudi billionaire Mohammed Al Amoudi in his libel lawsuit against Ethiopian Review editor Elias Kifle. (click here to read the order)
Bloomberg’s Kristen Schweizer wrote this about the case:
Saudi sheikh Al Amoudi, who owns several properties in the U.K., said a story in the U.S.-based Ethiopian Review website has subjected him to “serious libel centered around one of his young, unmarried daughters.”
“The Al Amoudi case is definitely libel tourism because Sheikh Al Amoudi lives for the most part outside the U.K. and is not a British citizen and the majority of readers of the Ethiopian Review are outside the U.K.,” Libel Reform’s Harris said. He said the draft bill is expected in late March.
Read the full text of Kristen’s article here.
56 thoughts on “UK high court decides in Al Amoudi vs. Elias Kifle”
Of course, they will give verdicts in favor of Alamoudin (Mr rich man). That is why he took the case to UK. I am realy concerned about the blatant meddling of UK in Ethiopian political affairs. There is no doubt that this case has a lot of political ferver in it. UK have been training the security of Meles and providing advices on tactics of suppressing and subjugating people drawing on its extensive experience during the colonial perioid. UK is very familiar with the very idea of minority dominated governments.
We have seen how the PM of UK salivated about the fall of Gadafi. They are not concerned about the rights and freedom of the Libyan people but its oil wealth. A year ago UK has embarrassingly facilitated the release of a terrorist who has been convicted for bombing and killilng 270 people only to get an oil extraction contract in Libya. UK seems to be in a frenzy,, perhaps they have run out of the accumulated wealth they have amassed from their colonies a century ago.
Dont worry Elias the time is coming. you will be the winner mean while, Lets start a champion of deleting or clearing all the racist or hate images and descriptions of Ethiopia on goggle and other sites which are posted by racists and haters
Shame on UK. What a mockery of justice! This is one good example how money talks in the place of justice. Meles and Almoudi are determined that Ethiopians in and outside of Ethiopia have no peace and freedom to speak out against tyranny. It is deeply disturbing that the law abiding Ethiopians like Elias are being harassed and terrorized by tyrant Meles and his billionaire buddy Almoudi and in the other hand, the bloody hand that deserves to be prosecuted and thrown in jail, lives in the palace. What kind of world are we living in? If it were not for the love of money and greed, African countries wouldn’t be brutalized by dictators like tyrant Meles.
AL Moudi wasted his time and money!!!
UK Libel Tourism law has no meaning in America where “Freedom of Speech” is law of the land. All americans are immune and protected from such outdated UK law.
WASHINGTON — On August 10, 2010 President Barack Obama signed the Speech Act, which shields American journalists, publishers (both print and online) and bloggers from “libel tourism,” a term applied when foreign companies attempt to stifle American writers by suing in countries where they can thwart tough American free speech laws.
http://www.bluemaumau.org/9240/obama_signs_act_protecting_american_bloggers
Hey Guys,
Elias is the winner !!
AL Moudi is the loser !!! He wasted his time and money!!!
CONGRATULATE ELIAS !!!
UK Libel Tourism law has no meaning in America where “Freedom of Speech” is law of the land. All americans are immune and protected from such outdated UK law.
President signs ‘libel-tourism’ bill H.R. 2765, U.S.
By The Associated Press
08.11.10
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Aug. 10 signed into law a bill protecting American authors, journalists and publishers from foreign libel judgments that undermine free speech.
Some countries with weak free-speech protections make it easy to sue foreigners for libel — a practice known as “libel tourism.”
Under the new law, H.R. 2765, U.S. federal courts would be prevented from recognizing or enforcing a foreign judgment for defamation that is inconsistent with freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Defendants in foreign cases can obtain a U.S. court order declaring that a foreign judgment would not be enforceable under American law.
WE SHALL OVERCOME!
The UK high court must be in bed with the blood sucking Billionarie. This is a meaningless decision and can be overturned in due time. I will not put too much weight to it.
once again we the Ethiopian ppl are behind you on this.
these is not attack against an individual, it is attack
against free press and flow of information.wayane and
almudin are different sides of the same coin and are
successfully blocked any information from Ethiopians back
home and now trying to same in the civilized world too
I know many Ethiopians in and outside Ethiopia are following this case very closely,including me.Can someone make clear this decision of UK Law vs US’s(President Barack Obama’s bill protecting American authors, journalists and publishers from foreign libel judgments that undermine free speech) law,what the likely impact on Ethiopianreview because ultimately this is not Elias vs. Alamudi rather it is Ethiopians vs. woyane as we all Ethiopians know it.
we shall win!
AL Moudi you and your stupid lawyers should know that “President Barack Obama last year signed a bill protecting U.S. writers from foreign libel judgments. The Speech Act prevents foreign libel judgments not in line with the U.S. Constitution from being enforced.” America is not Ethiopia.
now its time to stop either talking or showing fake ethiopian sympathy essssseeee….now let us support elias financially or other helpful things in order to save our heros.
elias will be a winner if you stand with him and lets stand with him
Elias we are with you a hundred percent on Al Amoudi Vs Elias!!! Al Amoudi may be a billionaire but you have millions of Ethiopians to back you up. The UK high court will be surprised when they find out, that you are a hard worker who advocates justice for all Ethiopians. And my prediction is that they will be forced to throw out this case, whether or not Al Amoudi likes it. Keep your head up brother!!
DLA Piper,
WE SHALL OVERCOME!
The Brits don’t know justice at all. If they do, they wouldn’t be colonizers who destroy every country they set their foot in. All the misery in Africa is caused by the Brits. They still support dictators around the world. They just need money, look at Ghadafi and Meles. They will support the Sheikh, like Ghadafi he is the source of the stolen money. They knew they were keeping Ghadafi’s stolen money as well as Ethiopian gold money, (Meles and the sheikh have property and investment in London). This is justice, Brit style.
Way to go Elias.
I love it. “libel tourism” Good job you bleed the old fool 4000 pounds an hour…. go Elias … I laughed so much regarding this farce that my stomache is hurting.
Poor Al mode he is a melted ice cream all way.
OF-COURSE THE JUDGEMENT IS NOT AGAINST ELIAS KIFLE BUT PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS WHO PROVIDE FACTS TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND CONSUMERS OF FACTS WHICH IS ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE WHO READ WRITINGS OF ELIAS KIFLE. FOR OBVIOUS REASON, I NEVER TRUST THE WHITE MAN OR WILL NEVET TRUST THEM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
REASON
1 THE WHITE MAN IS EAGER TO PROTECT ITS OR COUNTRIES INTEREST AT ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE BRITISH ARE GAINING FROM THE SO CALLED INVESTOR (LOOTER OF ETHIOPIAN NATURAL RESOURCES, SHEIKH AL AMOUDI) WHO IS DEPOSITING THE STOLEN WEALTH OF ETHIOPIA IN LONDON AND NOTHING FROM ELIAS KIFLE.
2 THE WHITE MAN LOOKS AT WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR HIM IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING JUDGEMENT. THE SO CALLED SHEIKH CAN HONOR THE JUDGE WITH GIFTS UNLIKE POOR ELIAS KIFLE WHO BELIEVES AND TRUSTS THE RULE OF THE LAW.
3 THE WHITE MAN STILL BELIVES THAT “AFRICA IS THE BURDEN OF WHITE MAN”. THEY ANTAGONISE ANY THING DONE WITHOUT THEIR APPROVAL. IF ELIAS KIFLE HAD THEIR APPROVAL TO POST THE ARTICLE THAT HAS DAMAGED THE REPUTATION OF THE THIEF CALLED AL ALMOUDI, WHO COULD HAVE NOT FOUND GUILTY IN FOREIGN COUNTRY, LONDON WHERE THE CLAIMANT IS NOT CITIZEN.
CONCLUSSION
STAND WITH ELIAS KIFLE WHO REFUSED TO BOW DOWN TO DICTATORS AND LOOTERS OF ETHIOPIAN RESOURCES AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. LET US GIVE HIM ALL THE SUPPORT HE DESERVES WITHOUT CONSIDERING POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATIONS. ALL THE TRUE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ETHIOPIA SHOULD PLAY THEIR ROLE IN DEMOCRATIZING ETHIOPIA AND STOP EXPECTING THE WHITE MAN TO GIVE YOU DEMOCRACY IN SILVER PLATE.
LOVE ETHIOPIA AND ETHIOPIANS!
After all Alamusi is a partner of human rights violation with the Woyane junta in power. He should know that after woyane he has no place in ethiopia.This is no ethiopia this is America where people have the freedom of speech and expression. Love u elias ethiopia is with you
Elias, I’m with you. Keep fighting for your and our [all Ethiopian] freedom of speech. It’s amazing how these mafia groups [Meles & Al Amudin] are harassing Ethiopian even abroad.
Freedom to Ethiopian people!
check this out:
Billionaire’s libel action over article read by 21 people fails
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0225/1224290840697.html
MARK HENNESSY London Editor
THE HIGH Court in London has thrown out a libel case involving a Ukrainian billionaire, Dmitry Firtash, who wanted to sue a Kiev newspaper over an article that was read by just 21 people in the United Kingdom.
The ruling could have major implications for so-called libel tourism, the practice whereby the world’s wealthy seek to use British courts for defamation actions.
Mr Firtash had launched libel proceedings in London against Public Media, the publishers of the Kyiv Post, over an article about his gas company, RosUkrEergo AG, which he alleges implies that the business is run corruptly.
Another billionaire, Saudi Arabia’s Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Amoudi, is pursuing the US-based Ethiopian Review and is also suing in London.
The court refused to accept jurisdiction in the Firtash case, saying the Ukrainian businessman had no substantial links with the UK, in contrast to the case of an earlier action by Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky, who had been able to “show real and substantial connections”.
The Ukrainian had no residence in the country, no active business interests and had given no information about how often he visited London.
He had “erroneously” given a business colleague’s Knightsbridge address when lawyers lodged papers in the case, said the court, adding it was not quite, but almost, an abuse of process.
Last night organisations that have lobbied for a change in the UK’s law to prevent so-called libel tourism welcomed the ruling.
Jonathan Heawood, director of English PEN, said: “This is obviously good news for free speech, but the libel chill still remains. This phenomenon of libel tourism is a form of legal harassment, which discourages responsible investigative journalists from speaking the truth to power. This is not a problem we can fix by tinkering with legal procedures: parliament needs to overhaul our entire system.”
Mike Harris of Index on Censorship said: “A Ukrainian billionaire tried to drag a Ukrainian newspaper all the way to London to fight a libel case here. has rightly thrown this case out saying it was tenuous in the extreme.”
US president Barack Obama last year signed a Bill protecting the country’s writers from foreign libel judgments.
The Speech Act prevents foreign libel judgments that are not in line with the United States constitution from being enforced.
Well! well! well! now we know who is who! who is with Elias of Ethiopia and who is with Al Amoudin or weyane! Guys in UK, time to open your eyes wider.
We shall win and we shall not be silenced!!!
Elias sory my brother keep up the good word. If you have to pay legal costs ask openly how much and see how we can share. Hamsa lomi le 1 sew shekemu, le hamsa sew gen get new. Don’t worry u loose nothing my dear brother, you are our hero and our winner anyway. xxxx
We must speak loudly and in one voice freedom, justice means not half way. Alamoudi is launching war against Ethiopian by using our own wealth.
This case is simply a politicaly motivated case therefore we should come together and denouce it. we must stop this fanatic to continue distroying us in a foreign countries too. It has gone too far from controlling our life forcing to fled and following us abroad attemting to controll our life though a foreign law is some how beyond word can not express, just too much.
So let us fight this in union.
Brother Elias,
We are with you on this one thick and thin. This will bring another abomination on some of the aspects of the British judiciary system. That country has been losing prestige since 1776 just because they are running afoul with the rightful. They defaulted from doing the right thing in late 1940’s and in the few years to follow, they sunk to the bottom by being ejected from more than 60 territories in disgrace in less than two decades. Now they have this ‘libel tourism’ laughing stock for everyone’s amusement. Someone needs to tell them to shove it. No question about the fairness and kind-hearted nature of the British people who afforded shelters and refuge to millions who fled autocratic regimes for decades and still are. But some faulty laws are planted in their systems by those who cajoled with people like this honorary Woyane sheik. It is just disgusting.
Well we all know that this Woyane and Al-Moudi are robing ethiopia
but what we do is Talk/Talk/Talk I don’t know what is happening to
this Ethiopian generation and this why they are doing anything they
want. right now Woyane is doing everything to block every news later
web site from outside not to reach to Ethiopians inside the country
some how Al-Moudi is their tool because no Woyane means no Al-Moudi
at least they are doing their job well but US we are just Talking
does this help elias no look at VOA they kept their mouth shut is
this what we want i think we need to change our strategy for fight
Well we all know that this Woyane and Al-Moudi are robing ethiopia
but what we do is Talk/Talk/Talk I don’t know what is happening to
this Ethiopian generation and this why they are doing anything they
want. right now Woyane is doing everything to block every news later
web site from outside not to reach to Ethiopians inside the country
some how Al-Moudi is their tool because no Woyane means no Al-Moudi
at least they are doing their job well but US we are just Talking
does this help elias no look at VOA they kept their mouth shut is
this what we want i think we need to change our strategy for fight
I assume Elias Kifle is an Ethiopian American–whatever that means.Some of you who commented about the British court’s ruling too may be the same.Consequently,a couple of you mentioned as to how the American government is much better than its British counterpart in protecting “freedom of speech.”You cited Obama’s signing of a Bill that protects American scribes from foreign libel judgments.That’s sheer naivete and a terrible amnesia of history.That “freedom of speech”is an illusion has been substantiated by Noam Chomsky’s illustration of “consent engineering.”Anyone who tries to transcend from this “consent engineering”will suffer consequences.How can we forget that the White House is in cahoots with its allies to silence Julian Assange?What’s the crime of Bradley Manning?
For sure,all Ethiopians are standing with Elias.This alien sheik can not continue to be out of control;there is now time coming to fight back this alien sheik by all meanse.
Money is not everything,but the power of people is more than money and it is everything.We shall definitely send Al Amoudi back where he came from because this alien Sheik is a cost on our country and people.
Together with Elias,we shall defeat Al Amoudi to his eternal crush!!!
I think there is a fact that we all should not forget:)this is a matter of law, justice or court. It has nothing to do with loving or disliking some one. It is not a matter of number either.Elias is a blogger, but a blogger does not mean that some one who can write any thing regardless its facuality. I mean, journalism has its own ethics, morality and principles. Weather we like it or not, a decision is given based on the evidences provided to the court. Well, the fact that we like Elias should not make us blind. Justice should always be in the side of truth.
If Elee wrote the news based on justification, why wouldnt he show it to the court? Some of us may think he is defeated on account of money, but the reality might not be so.
F**k England. What makes them think they can order this nonsense to An American Citizen? Poor old dogs.
I still do not understand. The story of the mysterious girl and Alamoudin has been posted on other sites too. Elias just made a reference to that story. Why should the charge come specificaly to ER? Are you sure your lawyers are doing their job properly??????????
What about the Ethiopian gold stolen by Al Amoudin company without the consent of Ethiopian people. Where is the money? Al Amoudin should answer in court!The time of sealing resouces from poor Africans is over with Brithish colony.
What about the Ethiopian gold stolen by Al Amoudin company without the consent of Ethiopian people. Where is the money? Al Amoudin should answer in court!The time of sealing resouces from poor Africans is over with Brithish colony?
You will win,Elias.
Elias, we are proud of you, and it is only a matter of time,the Ethioian people are going to take back,what is taken from them, their country.
Elias we will be with you, just ask us what to do. Ayzoh!
Tasew
I don’t understand what the hell is going on. Elias re-wrote something that was already written by another journalist. And yet, the dude is sueing Elias. To bigin with, I don’t like Alamudi and I don’t want to know anything about his daughter. I had to read it because of the law suite associated with it. Mr Alamudi, you should have kept quite about the matter. I hope this case will open up the dirt Alamudi has commited on the many under age childrens in Ethiopia. Where do we send the money? I forgot the bank information. I am behind you 100% on this. Enough is enough!
From Ijolae arat kilo, zem negede Hamasien
Elias….. as much as I sometimes disagree with you, I really admire some of your principled stands & bravery….. All power & wisdom to ya, brother…..
There is no way that you should allow these cash strapped UK’s judiciary/legal system take advantage of you just because some immoral teenage chasing dirty old man can pay the dosh…… You can stand there and make a principled stand refusing to recognize such a corrupt legal system scheming cash to serve the rich & powerful
ones…… you have to stand there & tell them …… “Bugger off you hypocrites” ……Revolution starts with brave people standing up to unfair & unjust laws. The racist Segregation system in US was once powerful & repressive…… But a brave woman in the name of Risa Park stood up to a racist tatooed plonker refusing to give up
her sit to him…… That started the revolution that eventually brought about the civil right act. So should you, Elias & rest assured that many will follow you….. You’ll be surprised that the whole world will follow ya….. Stand up to them and tell them for what they are and how corrupt they have always been & that you’ll not have any of their non-sense. As the saying in Tigrigna that goes…..”HAQI TEZARIBKA MENGEDI BABUR HIDER”….. losely translated as ….. Speak the truth & set yourself free”…… A good tip is that you should never give any undeserved concession whatsoever. Britain is a country where unfair laws are fought tooth & nail…… there is no hard and fast rule as Britain is one of the only two countries with no written constitution for the common man. The other one being Israel. Even the American revolution is instigated as a result of an unfair law of taxation….. The Americans rise up against this unfair law saying ….”No Taxation without representation” against the British empire…… Obama is writing a law to protect US citizen from Libel law,……. but how about others who ain’t US citizens….. Man, I tell you to bolt out of it……and start a revolution….. It’s now or never…….
God help you Elias…….
Elias, we are with you! The history will remember you as a great journalist and activist who found for the freedom of our motherland!
UK can’t enforce this law.Elias is a US resident.No need to worry.If this doesn’t work probably Alhamutti (meniak) will try to sue Elias in Timbuktu court.Desperate Al hamudi sucker
As a British citzen of Ethiopian origin, I will be writing to the High Court to support Elias and ER, a voice to those muted by the Dictator in Ethiopia. Please join me in exposing the fact that this matter by this person is in deed politicaly motivated. I urge all of you do the same.
Elias, You will never walk alone on this.
Didn’t I tell you to not pock your hand over every plate that you can reach? This is the start of the end for your nomadic behavior.
Hello all, I wish you good luck Elias.
At the mean time, readers and others, check out this blog
toraboratimes.blogspot.com
It is run by a memember of the DIEW, and Elias will be interviewed.
There is a lot of action taking place, check it out.
DLA piper is the lobying firm that represents Woyane’s interest in America. The fact that Mr. Alamudi is hired Woyne’s lobying agency for the libel suit against the courageous Elias Kifle shows the case is simply Woyane versus the free press. Woyane and it’s cronies may be able to silences the free press in Ethiopia but can not silence and intemdate the ones that live in America. After all in the eyes of the Ethiopian people, Elias you are the winner.
Meles and Alamoudi are trash heads like their british masters, Elisho is U.S. resident and abide by the American rule and protected by America! Don’t foul yourself Ass holes You cant fight with America! God Bless Free speech and America!
Again the same old britishs justice they are killing our country by
the most hated tyrant against Etthiopian peoples and now their justice allies with another arab criminal who alongside (The britih slave dedebit chimp )who is hiding himself in minilik palace looting the nation to its bone ,by the way all the guidance comes from jeffery sachs and stiglitz who all the way help these out laws to intl floor
like g7 it all shows that circle has a hidden agenda had it not been the Ethiopian peoples keeps the country with their lives
Elias it is our turn to bring this arab mafia in an Ethiopian court
his days are very numbered
Al Amoudi – that Gaint Goliath- will lose the battle he has created for the glory of his name, his family, his cronies, and his close friends, Meles Seitanawi and Jezebel (Azeb), the worst Ethiopian first lady, but Elias, the little David, will be finally the victor by the grace of God; therefore, let us rally behind our hero, Elias Kifle, the Ethiopian Review Editor in Chief.
Dear Elias, be strong and courageous; we will never abandon you, and we are with you to defeat one of the richest person, the Ethiopian-born Al Amoudi, lover of the Middle East and African dictators. His wealth will not save him from falling from his grace, and he will never be the same Al Amoudi in the eyes of the world that is watching this extraordinary case; your case involves freedom of speech favored by millions of freedom lovers all over the world.
Do you folks get what this Kiflu Hussain is trying to say? Is he saying that Brother Elias should be found guilty as charged or what? What is he talking about this man with a sick mind Assange? Does he know the soldier who leaked those documents is headed to jail and is going to rot there till he dies. Assange claims he is determined to change the behavior of nations by being a notorious snitch. If snitching changes the behavior of leaders of countries then we should all hire snitches on the Dracula back home to throw him out of office. But that only will do very little or nothing at all. Snitching so dirty and careless like this will put the lives of innocent and honest people at unnecessary risk. I hope someone will send his communist ass behind so he rot in jail too.
In the meantime, we should all continue to rally around Brother Elias on this one until this Muunafeeq Sheik Tuulbee catch the virus and die from aids.
May Allah Bless You and Your Family, Brother Elias!!!!
What a shame!
This must have been planned to divert our attention from the revolution against the dictator in Ethiopia!
Elias we are with you!
Well done Elias!
we shall overcome. BTW – I am amazed by the type of typo the high court document carries. Unbelievable! They cancel the name of the justice on the same paper on ink!!! Haaaa????? They should work on that before they even say this is a ruling.
UK is way backward – this paper is no different that the Wuchale treaty HE Emperor Minyilik the second signed with the Italians (finally had to be trashed and dropped off with defeat).
We will all be with you to the end. Down with tyrants!!
Does anyone who reads this article and comments understand English? The comments are total rubbish. The reason the court judged in Al Amoudi’s favour is because Elias Kifle did not bother to respond to court and offer any defence! So what else can the court do? If you don’t defend a claim, don’t complain what the court rules in your absence!