Aoun files defamation lawsuit against Lebanese journalist

 

A number of Lebanese intellectuals denounced the lawsuit filed by MP Michel Aoun, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, against journalist and poet Paul Shaoul, who is supposed to appear tomorrow in front of the investigating magistrate in Beirut.

 

They also said in a statement that they considered Aoun’s lawsuit a violation of freedom of expression and a blow to Lebanese democracy and free press.

 

“We are used to Aoun’s negative attitude toward diverging opinions,” the statement said.

 

“We express our full support to Paul Shaoul and hope that the reply to this statement is through similar means and not attempts to terrorize those who believe in freedom of expression,” the intellectuals’ statement added.

 

They also said that such lawsuits will only increase the commitment of such persons to democracy, independence, sovereignty and justice, as opposed to the violent and destructive crusade against civil society.