Grandson loses legal attempt to rehabilitate Soviet dictator Stalin’s reputation
October 14th, 2009 - 4:38 pm ICT by ANIMoscow, Oct.14 (ANI): Yevgeny Dzhugashvili, a grandson of Soviet Union dictator Josef Stalin, has lost a legal battle to rehabilitate the latter’s murderous reputation posthumously. A Russian court threw out a libel case filed by Dzhugashvili, who had sued Novaya Gazeta, a liberal newspaper, for printing an article that referred to Stalin as a “bloodthirsty cannibal.”
The ruling is a rare victory for Russia’s embattled liberal elite who believe the Kremlin is using Stalin’s strongman image to boost patriotic fervor and legitimise its own tough tactics.
Dzhugashvili, who lives in Georgia and never appeared at the trial himself, alleged the article had offended his grandfather’s honour and dignity, reports The Telegraph.
In particular, he took issue with a claim that Stalin had personally signed the death warrant of hundreds of thousands of “enemies of the state” shot during the “Great Terror” in the 1930s.
Dzhugashvili’s legal team argued that Stalin did not personally sign the warrants, that many of the people killed really were enemies of the state and that ill-wishers had besmirched the dictator’s image unfairly since his death in 1953.
Stalin’s great-grandson claimed Stalin was the victim of “historical propaganda.”
Novaya Gazeta and many others were amazed that a court even deigned to hear such a case. (ANI)
- Stalin grandson sues Moscow radio station - Mar 25, 2011
- Stalin's grandson sues Moscow radio station for dishonouring Russian dictator - Dec 20, 2009
- Stalin's grandson files libel suit against Russian parliament - Nov 22, 2011
- Protests over Russian 'gay propaganda' bill - Dec 27, 2011
- Gorbachev says 'little' left over democracy in Russia threatened by corruption - Dec 11, 2010
- Official fired for not sending people to pro-Putin rally - Feb 07, 2012
- Brain illness 'made Stalin a more paranoid and ruthless ruler' - Apr 22, 2011
- Want to sue for libel? Now, prove your reputation was harmed! - Mar 15, 2011
- International observers say Russian vote 'clearly skewed' for Putin - Mar 05, 2012
- Gorbachev worried about Putin's return - Sep 26, 2011
- Stalin's death mask sold for 3,600 pounds - Jan 25, 2012
- Stalin death mask goes on sale - Jan 24, 2012
- Germany probing playing cards of Hitler, other dicators - Feb 08, 2011
- Suspended sentences for Belarus opposition activists - May 21, 2011
- Gorbachev urges Russia election re-run - Dec 24, 2011
Tags: 1930s, cannibal, death warrant, enemies of the state, great terror, honour, josef stalin, kremlin, legal attempt, libel case, liberal elite, novaya gazeta, patriotic fervor, rare victory, russian court, soviet dictator, soviet union, strongman, warrants, yevgeny
