(BBC) An Ethiopian-born billionaire has won £175,000 in libel damages over allegations he had hunted his daughter down so she could be stoned to death.
Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi was born in Ethiopia, but now spends his time at homes in central London, Surrey and Saudi Arabia.
The article was published on the online news website Ethiopian Review.
Judge Richard Parkes QC said it was difficult to imagine more serious allegations.
The site’s publisher and editor-in-chief, Elias Kifle, had denied liability.
The judge said that instead of apologising Mr Kifle had repeated the libel and abused Mr al-Amoudi and his lawyers.
The High Court in London heard Mr Kifle’s response to the initial complaint was: “Here is my formal statement: Screw yourself”.
The court heard Mr Kifle then went on to describe Mr al-Amoudi as a “scumbag bloodsucker” who was “funding al-Qaeda”.
Mr al-Amoudi, 65, gave evidence during the libel trial that he was completely opposed to all forms of terrorism.
The judge said the site alleged that Mr al-Amoudi had “disgracefully and callously” married off his daughter Sarah, then 13, to an elderly member of the Saudi royal family as a gift.
‘Wholly untrue’
The article went on to claim that Mr al-Amoudi was probably responsible for murdering his daughter’s lover in Iraq and had hunted his daughter and granddaughter across London in an attempt to ensure they were stoned to death in Saudi Arabia.
Mr al-Amoudi told the court he was horrified by the “wholly untrue” article which could be seen by visitors to the website between January and August 2010, when it was finally taken down.
Mr al-Amoudi, who has a son and seven daughters, said he had a normal relationship with Sarah, who was not married.
He said she had completed a business administration degree in the UK.
Assessing damages, the judge said: “The claimant is not, I judge, a man who wears his heart on his sleeve.
“But his distress as he described the effect of the article on himself and on his family was evident to me, and the more so because, as it seemed to me, he was doing his best to preserve his composure.”
Mr al-Amoudi, who was in the top 50 of Forbes magazine’s 2009 rich list, is believed to have made his money in construction, oil refineries and mining.
Mr al-Amoudi, who is of mixed Ethiopian and Arab heritage, is sometimes described as the world’s richest black man.
He was recently reported to be financing the building of Saudi Arabia’s first car factory.
209 thoughts on “Saudi billionaire wins libel action against Ethiopian editor”
Elias:
Keep up the good job. We are all behind you. The billionaire must have gone out of his mind.
Money can buy you justice in the west, it has always been that way, like Al Amudi needed more money the English judge is awarding him more money. This judge will definitely be rewarded upon his retirement, mark my words, in the west the rich own politicians, journalists, academics and of course their stock brokers and judges.
Now somehow the English will try to enforce their judgement over Mr. Elias in the US, they will some obscure rule to scare Mr. Elias and muzzle him.
i told you, money talk!
aye elias lunatic, now where u gonna get that amout of money?
You know Elias this may be a good signal to you not to disrespect human beings.
what ever you become mad of anyone you have no right to disrespect anyone, actually this is very simple to you, your best man president Esayas can pay it.
So still it is not late to learn how the law works.Take care.By the way you are late to bring the news by about 4 to 5 hours.I think you had a dilemma how to deliver the news, i still wait for your comment.As usual this will be a good excuse to beg money.
your usual custemer Abebe.
Detchisa replies:
June 29th, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Yor name is not Abebe it should be woslataw.You go ahead respect Almoudin all you want!!! you are anti Ethiopian hiding in the arm pit of Almoudin it sounds like you are very comfortable with it.Yes Elias is sharp like a knife straight to the point it hurts so is the truth; you might try to buy justice but when the money is gone emptiness is all you will be left.So a true Ethiopian does not want your shallow demanted philosophy.Respectfully BUZZ OFF!
Hi Elli,
This is easy. we will be your right hand, was imprisonment the possibility?
i agree with you abebe
This is a whole lot of B.S that Alamoudis Public Relations people put together. If he really has a baisis to sue you in court why doesnt he do it in DC where you reside and where it really matters? Judgments like these are a waste of the courts time and tax payers money because they can never be implemented- if you are unable to pay the court will put you on a payment plan and Mr. Alamoudi can recieve his $5.00 per month payment for the next 110 and years lolololol
Thats what you get when you f**k with the world’s richest black man you journalist wannabe p***t.
Was this court an international court or English? What jurisdiction does the court has over www? I think we should bring those reporters who are in the business of dehumanizing and lying about Africa and its people. We should set up a court in Africa to deal with such cases.
My hats off and kudos to you, brother Elias! I really apreciate your steadfasteness and integrity. You’re such an exemplary fighter. I realy admire your tenacity.What ever they try to muzzle you, just Keep up the good work!
Here comes the doom of Elias, the lunatic. It was to people like that our forefathers/mothers coined the saying: “Be-af yitefu belefelefu” Are you now going to beg for money, Elias? Lets see what you will do…
Elias,This is your chance to work for Ethiopian billionaire Mr al-Amoudi.Contributions from current affairs room wont make you free out this crisis.Just have a gut and apologize!!
Where ever you are, EHADEG with the true Ethiopians are the winners. And by the way you deserve to pay the fine.
Cheers
Mr Alamudin did not won anything att all because Ethiopian Review is based in USA not in London . but if Mr Alamudin take the case to USA court then he will not won the case and he will be expose to the crime he has commited against the Ethiopian peopple .
Hi every body. Lets pay this damage and move on. I say to Elias, please post your account and we will contribute not only to clear this damage but also for the struggle. Never lose hope.
Elias kifle, dont worry try to appeal the case if you win you win if not just ignore the curt verdict :)
Elias,
Well, for your falsifications this is small price to pay. You lie -big time. I never ever seen a man like you so irresponsible.
Hello Elias,
Every single day there are plaintives and defendants; this is not an exceptional case. For the most part, you have provided political journalistic and human right activism and managed your magazine and later this web site totaling 20 years. Congratulation!
One legal defeat and some few articles does not neccessarily justify the right of obervers to depreciate your worth. I hope you will take a second look at the entire case and find other constructiveo ways to send a message without setting up your self as an easy target. The fact that you posted this article is very courageous. I hope you consult competant attorneys and appeal the case and also try to have your attorney channel your view on the outcome on BBC. You should know better the power of especially intenational media.
Best wishes
The Bible tells us that, “The roots of all evil is money”
Disheartening to say the least, money talks and walks around the world. It is a shame that Almoudi who is one of the closest friends of Dictator Meles, chose to harass and drag our brother Elias to court. Almoudi might have money, but Elias you have millions of Ethiopians on your side. Any decent person prefer to have guilt free conscience, loyal loving family and friends that love you for who you are not for your money, a kind heart, wisdom and a fighting spirit for justice for oppressed people and the less fortunate among us…and Elias, you are that person!
It is unfortunate that it seems lately, love of money has taken a hold of people in Ethiopia and around the world and where justice is trampled on. As we witnessed recently in NY about that Hotel Made, people with money can go free and buy justice wherever they go. Some despicable judges and lawyers around the world do sell their souls for love of money in a New York minute.
Elias, don’t forget that tens of millions Ethiopians and God are on your side!
Elli-the last five years has been very tough for you.It is time for you to go back to your calling. You are an apparent air-head when you chose Issias Afowork “Man of the year”. What is even worse you do not have integrity.I prefer Meles and Issias than you. Becasue one knows where one stand with this two buthers.
The Title ought read like,
1, THE SAUDI, not ETHIOPIAN
2, The billionaire and MODERN DAY Leba
3, Wins, definitely the baboon is a big time Loser of it all.
If the Content by ER weren”t true he would have not gone this far to defend himself and hire some sou less habesh to testify for him. The truth stings bad. Mr. Eliase you got this hodam where it hurts. Tell him and his cronies to Screw themselves, No chance in hell he can touch, Cheers bro!
Elias Kifle,
Good journalists do not publish article that disrespects the human dignity and violate family privacy. You should have showed an exemplary by publishing your honest journalism than publishing articles to smear a single person and his family unethically the way you describe Mr Al-Amoudi and his daughter. You are totally insane on this occasion the way you behaved before/during/after the libel trail.
You behaved very badly towards Mr Al-Amoudi especially towards his daughter who is innocent on your vile and revulsion article to paint the situation as it was happened which you knew very well it was untrue. It was a personal vendetta to Mr Al-Amoudi and his daughter.
As a family man I could imagine how you put them to a totally despair and stress by your irresponsible behaviour and bad taste the way you had been persistently pursue Mr Al-Amoudi and his daughter mudding their characters and violating their privacy in an imaginable way. Mr Al-Amoudi showed you as man of principle using the law how an ethical you were/are. You are still in denial and you think the English law is corrupt but you must be careful that the law still may catch up with you further.
You (Elias) don’t call yourself a journalist from now on. You should be ashamed yourself to put a young girl into this callus situation. No parents would wish like this.
Thankfully, the law has caught you at last. No one is beyond the law wherever you live. This is a big lesson for you and your fellow colleagues. You must all learn from this judgement and report/write article bears truth “nothing but the truth” otherwise you will be the lowest of the lowest (scam bag on earth) in the eye of many including the law of the country you live in.
You must respect your host country law, uphold the truth and practice good journalism.
I don’t believe in insulting anyone and particularly when the story is fishy and has to do with one’s children. I wouldn’t mind if Elias tears Al amoudi apart. The issue here is irrelevant to the struggle. Children have to be out of this kind of game. Any ways, what really is funny is the fact that all these chickens that used to post garbage are calming down on the issue. Looks like every body is toning down. Still, I like the rebellious character of Elias. The talking about one’s children will wane as Elias starts raising his own kids.
Money can buy anything, the west support the Mele’s regime. BBC=WEST.
k this is the beginning of the end elias empty propaganda.
Elias,
What do you expect from English Judge? aren’t they the one who fund the masscar of our people. don’t they give many to meles to continue tourturing our people..so what do you expect?
Alamudin know he is hated by most ethiopian with concious. we hate his gut and we hope he burn in hell. DO NOT PAY ANYTHING! WHAT HE STOLE FROM ETHIOPIA IS ENOUGH AND YOU SHOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO GET A PENNY FROM YOU.
MOT LEWOYANE AND JELEWOCHU!
Elias Boolshit,
You do the crime you pay the time.It is called accountability.
Let your muster issayas Afeworki pay your bill,or else you would be spending some time in UK jail. You know USA and UK has extradition treaty.The Interpol is know activated.
Mr Kifle, would you let me know how I can support ER with small amount of money from where here
I think Elias is bogus thick-minded man who simply play an old-fashioned game of terrorist link. How he can claim that Al-Amudi fund the al-Qaeda? This is another lie that would result in lawsuit.
No Elias I advice you…take my advice. Beg the diaspora to contribute the fine…too huge to be paid by one very poor man!!!
Dear Elias Kifle, Editor in Chief,
Victory is ours, not the Rich Man’s. He has been always for the money, but you have been for justice and for the rule of law. We are behind you, and we will pay him the money immediately, and I hope he will not be starved to death until we pay him the money.
In Pakistan, criticizing Muhammad, the rich man of Mecca, is punishable by death; however, in England, criticizing a rich man is punishable by few hundred thousand dollars. All in all, rich people in England are, I think, immune from criticism.
I am just curious how the British judge can enforce British law on somebody who lives in the United States. I think they forget that U.S is not British colony. I am sure there is no way they can collect this money. No worry. Howe ever, I am eager to hear what lawyers think about this. Please ask good lawyers and post their responses. I eager to learn about this case
The moral of this story. If you gossip, make sure you have $240000 in your wallet :). QQQQ
Elias,
Elias the untouchable,why are you silent now ? You loose the game now but, hey no worries your Issyas will pay for you. I was waiting these days to come, and I thank God, you pay the price. you are one of the most disgraced humanbeing by all standards, and glad that Mr. Alamoudi wins !!!
Why didn’t almoodi sue you in the U.S. where you live. becausde he would be laughed out of court.. ha ha ha when was the last time almoodi came to the US? Now almoodi cal take his judgment and “screw” himself. ha ha ha hu hu hu hee hee hee
I believe Elias has a base when he wrote the article. Dont be so fast guys. Unless the judge is just like the judges in kangaroo weyanes. Elias stick to the truth and stick you toung to the shameless kangaroo purchased by money
Elias,
have courage and do not flinch an inch. as some suggested above consult legal experts. you should never ever pay him a single penny. let us see if any british policeman would come to america and arrest you. that will never happen.
This is kangaroo court
It is not about money.
You can’t just say bad things about ppl specially when it is not true.
I hope you learned Eliasu Lij.
ELias….well desrved ..entitlement. .Good joB!
NIGGA CONGRATULATIO THIS IS GOOD NEWS IT IS BIG Adventism Ethiopian Review your website in world news now u will get alot of visitor IN YOUR WEBSITE and u will pay soon all the money keep doing your thing DN’T GIVE UP
tezibit,
I admit that most of the time I find your comments on this web site and nazret.com ( whenever I get the chance to read ) balaced and you get to the point.
In this case, although I get drawn to the rebelious side as you do and/activist/reselient/persistent and energetic side of Elias,you have made a humanistic observation. How Al Amoudi’s story linked to his daughter started, from what I remember, the daughter’s’own picure and story posted on European media unfavourably and the rest is history.
Family relations/victimization by association is an issue on its own.
It is sweet of you to think Elias will be understanding when he has his children. I believe he does from info on line. I don’t believe one’s profession will ALL THE TIME be considerate based on their own offspring. Some times, they are completly in different compartments especially depending on the ages of the parents/children and other factors.
I think Elias/Ethiopian Review might have to get a list of supporters, post the entire A to Z of what took place to the said supporters through e-mails etc, have them be the jury, finalize decision and suggestion; and if he must pay the money, put in their discretionary contribution. It is about US $260,000.00.
First of all I applause you for posting the news on your website, that is a good gesture that you may have learned something here. The fact is Mr Elias has not even denied the charge and provided any evidence of his sources so I do not understand all the fuss about it. He is guilty and he knows about it. I support you with your struggle against the dictatorial government in our country but I also despise your blind venomic hate against anything that our poor country have or does.
Tell the court to screw this:-)
#30 Assta B.Getu
You could be happy that you managed to drag my fingers to write on this page eventhough I promised not to. I condratulate you on that! and you know why. First thing is first you are not victorious. You lost and Elias have lost the bout already.
Elias has got to pay $260,000. How on earth does this make him a winner? If he was, he would have won $260,000 for himself wouldn’t he? Thus, he was not for justice and rule of law. But now I am afraid, he has to cough it up through his nose. If you help him pay, fine. But do so quitely. You see, the British justice mill grinds slowly, but surely!!! You need to watch and learn.
Mr. Assta, you wouldn’t need to go to as far as Mecca and Medina to the grave of prophet Mohammed(s.a.w) to substanciate your point. What has got Elias case to do with the prophet Mohammed? Is Elias fighting for the spiritual causes of Christinity? or the material world we live?
Please don’t you contradict yourself Mr. moron and give every one a breathing space. One time you talk about Elias and Al-Amoudin, the other, about prophet Mohammed(s.a.w). There is no one except you who try to use religion as a pretext for your political consumption, not even Elias for that matter.
Are you realy an Ethiopian? if you really are, how dare you trying to get the two most respected big religions in our country to fight against each other? It can only be in your dream and be rest assured that muslim and Christian Ethiopian are happy to live ever after. They are not going to buy your out of date theocratic nightmare.
If you can make political views you are well come and we shall deal with you accordingly. Otherwise, do not meddle in to the business of us Ethiopian, who are happen to be multi-national, multi-lingual people with many different religions living in peace and harmony. So leave us alone and go to where you belong, Eritrea.
Alamudine is not a family man, he is pervert.Eliase is doing his family a favor by letting them know the child molester side of him. Some seem to be happy by the verdict reasoning ER violated a family privacy, lol. I bet they belong to the blood sucking junta,Woyane. True Ethiopians like to see him, Hodam Alamudi, buried alive along with his pimp Meles. That is the litmus paper test for being Ethiopian. Cheers!
NO GUT NO GLORY……don’t give up we r behind u post ur account # we will contribute to free Ethiopia. keep up the good work
Elias,
I’m glad finally they gut your ass. You really deserve this you sob!
Brother Elias, this is the highlight of your achievement. You will be judge by the people the history and of Ethiopia; not by British. British judge might read the billionaire’s case not the whole history behind it.
We love and respect you all the way
Shake Alamudin and melese are not true ethiopians(they are outsiders). don’t worry we are always with you and fight them until our country is liberated. all ethiopians know that they are sucking our blood.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/07/30/billionaire-businessman-wins-libel-payout-over-stoning-slur-115875-23306892/
One of the world’s richest men has won six-figure libel damages after a news website claimed he wanted his daughter stoned to death.
It also said Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi, 65, funded terrorism and married off his daughter, 13, to a Saudi royal as a “gift”.
Elias Kifle published the Ethiopian Review article in 2010 – but when confronted by lawyers, he told the dad-of-eight: “S***w yourself.”
He later called the tycoon, who has homes in central London and Surrey, a “scumbag bloodsucker”.
Billionaire Mr Al-Amoudi, a top-50 entrant in Forbes’s 2009 rich list, declared the insults “wholly untrue”. The High Court in London agreed and awarded him £175,000.