Information Note on the Court’s case-law 17

April 2000

Marônek v. Slovakia (dec.) - 32686/96

Decision 27.4.2000 [Section II]

Article 10

Article 10-1

Freedom of expression

Imposition of a heavy fine after publication of an allegedly defamatory open letter: admissible

The applicant was allocated a flat by the local authorities. However, he could not move in since the flat was occupied by someone else, A. The applic ant wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister in which he described the situation he was in as deplorable, referring notably to A.’s allegedly unlawful presence in the flat. A daily newspaper published an article in which the applicant’s standpoint was pr esented almost as in the aforementioned letter. A. and his wife sued the applicant and the newspaper for defamation. The civil courts found in their favour and the applicant was ordered to apologise and to pay 100,000 Slovak korunas to each plaintiff.

Admi ssible under Article 10.

© Council of Europe/European Court of Human Rights This summary by the Registry does not bind the Court.

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