Putin opponent loses Youtube libel case

A RUSSIAN opposition leader has been ordered to delete a Youtube video that inspired anti-government protests after a Moscow court ruled that it defamed one of the country’s richest men.

Moscow’s Lyublinsky district court has told Alexei Navalny to post a correction in place of the film after a judge agreed it contained libellous claims over Alisher Usmanov, the billionaire part-owner of Arsenal Football Club.

Mr Navalny, who has 10 days to comply, said he would refuse, telling reporters: “You heard the key phrase in the verdict just now, the reason why this trial was held: ‘to remove the video and remove the investigation’ … we are not going to do that.”

The documentary at issue, Don’t Call Him Dimon, is presented by Mr Navalny and has been viewed more than 20 million times since March. It claims Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s prime minister, runs a secret property empire hidden within charitable trusts officially controlled by friends. The Anti Corruption Committee, the body Mr Navalny leads, claims Mr Medvedev uses this empire to process bribes.

Mr Usmanov filed a defamation suit against Mr Navalny – who intends to challenge Vladimir Putin in next year’s presidential election – over the specific allegation that he transferred a £69million property to a foundation controlled by Mr Medvedev as a bribe.

Mr Medvedev denies any link to the property. Mr Usmanov, who is said to be worth $15billion, says the transaction was a legitimate business deal.