Ukrainian businessman and political leader files libel suit in London
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Press coverage
Tycoon sues Ukrainian reporters in UK - Kyiv Post - 4 April 2007
LONDON and WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 2, 2007)
Lawyers in Britain and the United States, acting on behalf of Ukrainian businessman and legislator Rinat Akhmetov, today announced the institution of libel proceedings against a group of journalists and an internet newspaper in the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division in London. The notice of claim has been filed against Tatyana Chornovol, Oleg Medvedev and Yaroslav Bilik and seeks damages and injunctive relief for a series of statements published in the internet publication OBOZREVATEL, which was also named as a defendant.
Speaking from London, Mr. Akhmetovs solicitor Simon Smith, Partner of Schillings law firm said, Mr. Akhmetov brought this action in the High Court to defend his very substantial reputation, as a business and political leader. By seeking redress in the courts of England, Mr. Akhmetov will ensure that there will be a fair legal process.
In Washington, D.C., Mr. Akhmetovs U.S. lawyers Mark MacDougall and Randy Teslik, of the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, added, Mr. Akhmetov has instructed us to aggressively confront those who publish false and defamatory accusations about him, his family and his business, whenever and wherever they are found, in courts where he can be assured of full and transparent due process of law.
The libel claim filed on March 30, 2007 on behalf of Rinat Akhmetov in London also seeks aggravated money damages from all four defendants, for harm done to Mr. Akhmetovs reputation arising out of a series of false and defamatory allegations that were first published by the defendants in February of this year. Mr. Akhmetov is the principal shareholder of System Capital Management, one of the largest industrial firms in Ukraine, and is an elected member of the Verkhovna Rada the Ukrainian national legislature where he serves as a member of the Party of Regions.
For further information please contact the following lawyer for Rinat Akhmetov with conduct:
Simon Smith
Partner, Schillings
simon.smith@schillings.co.uk