In the explanation of the verdict, it is stated that MEP Andreas Schider was the target of defamation on the Novosti portal because he was part of the European Parliament’s observation mission at the elections in Serbia.
Court in Vienna declared the Serbian newspaper Novosti guilty of the lawsuit filed by the MEP Andreas Schieder, having determined that they made false and baseless claims about him, the Beta agency was told from Schider’s office.
Schider, who is the head of the delegation of the Social Democratic Party of Austria in to the European Parliament in December 2023, he was part of the observation mission of the European Parliament at the elections in Serbia and then presented a report in which a number of irregularities were pointed out.
In the explanation of the verdict, it is stated that he was the target of defamation on the Novosti portal precisely because of that role and that the claims made were untrue and unfounded.
Novosti is obliged to pay court costs in the amount of 10.000 euros, publish a correction and refrain from similar claims in the future.
Šider assessed that “this verdict is an important symbol of resistance” and expressed the hope that it “will not be the last verdict that clearly sets the limits of the Serbian regime.”
“No one has to submit to the pressure of (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vučić and his influence on the Serbian media. It is worth opposing the regime and it is possible to win that fight,” Šider said.
Source: Beta, Vreme
