Alisher Usmanov files complaint against journalist with German prosecutor's office

Billionaire Alisher Usmanov filed a complaint with the Cologne prosecutor's office on October 8, accusing ARD TV journalist Hajo Seppelt of defamation. The German publication "Bild" reported the development.

Seppelt had earlier accused Usmanov of bribery and influencing referees in his report titled "Suspicious Referees at the Olympics - Bribes of 5,000 Euros in Fencing Competitions." Usmanov challenged these claims in the Hamburg court, which ruled in his favor. The court found that Seppelt's accusations infringed on Usmanov’s personal rights and were based on unsubstantiated suspicions. As a result, the statements were banned.

The court’s decision extended to WDR, a German television and radio broadcaster, leading to the removal of the report from their platforms. However, Usmanov is reportedly dissatisfied with this outcome and is now pushing for a criminal case to be opened against Seppelt.

"Mr. Seppelt and ARD Sportschau not only violated the basic principles of journalism and the press code, but this malicious and baseless slander warrants criminal responsibility," said Usmanov’s lawyer. "There was no evidence. This isn’t journalism, it’s a disgrace."

As of now, it has not been confirmed whether the Cologne prosecutor’s office has received the complaint. According to Ulrich Bremer, a spokesperson for the office, once the application is received, it will be reviewed to determine if there are grounds for a criminal investigation.

Seppelt, on his part, stated that he has not been informed about Usmanov's complaint and has received no communication from the relevant authorities.

For context, Alisher Usmanov has led the International Fencing Federation since 2008. However, on March 1, 2022, he was temporarily suspended from his role as president following sanctions imposed by the European Union, which accused him of supporting Russian actors responsible for instability in Ukraine.

It is also worth noting that on June 7, 2024, Usmanov, founder of USM Holdings, filed a lawsuit against UBS Europe SE (formerly UBS Deutschland AG) in the Frankfurt-Main Regional Court.