Herbert Kickl has lost a lawsuit against publisher “Falstaff” and PR adviser Wolfgang Rosam because of a secret corona vaccination that he put in the room in the fall. Specifically, it was a TV appearance by Rosams, repeating rumors that the FPÖ boss – contrary to his own statements – could already be vaccinated against Covid-19.
According to “Falter” (online edition), the Vienna Commercial Court rejected Kickl’s request for a preliminary injunction and withdrawal. On a program broadcast by oe24.at, Rosam said he had heard a rumor about Kickl: “There are very bad tongues, I have to be careful what I say now. I’m not saying that’s the case, but I heard he already was vaccinated.” Kickl countered this with a publicly presented negative antibody test — and sued over defamatory and credit-damaging statements.
“Politicians must show more tolerance”
“The limits of permissible criticism of politicians in the exercise of their public office are generally wider than those of private individuals, because politicians inevitably and consciously expose themselves to the scrutiny of their words and actions by the press and the general public. Politicians should therefore show a higher degree of tolerance, especially if they themselves make public statements that could be criticized,” the Falter quoted from the judgment.
Moreover, Rosam himself admitted that the rumor came from “evil tongues”: “With this the defendant has undoubtedly also indicated that it is only a rumor about the plaintiff, that he does not identify himself with him, nor does he claim or know whether this rumor is true.”
The verdict is not final. Kickl can appeal against this.
Source: Krone
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