Zurich judiciary sentences SRF journalists for defamation
Two SRF journalists have been convicted of defamation against the «crypto prince» Dadvan Yousuf. They must pay him more than 10,000 francs in damages.
The journalists and Swiss Radio and Television SRF accepted the decisions and the penalty orders are legally binding. An SRF media spokeswoman confirmed to the news agency Keystone-SDA a corresponding report by Inside Parade Ground. The public prosecutor's office imposed conditional fines of several thousand francs. Unlike the compensation, these do not have to be paid.
Yousuf defended himself against a Report from "SRF Investigativ"in which two female journalists made allegations of terrorist financing. The public prosecutor's office initially wanted to discontinue the proceedings. However, the Zurich High Court came to the conclusion that the evidence was not necessarily sufficient and upheld an appeal by Yousuf. There was "no clear case of impunity" that would allow the case to be dropped.
SRF stands behind the reporting and bears the costs. No further information could be introduced into the proceedings without jeopardizing the source. SRF has therefore decided not to lodge an objection. However, the article will remain online. "For reasons of transparency, we are considering integrating an additional reference to the conclusion of the proceedings," the media office announced.
Fraud and money laundering
The reputation of the former "crypto prodigy" Yousuf has been deeply tarnished in recent years. By investing in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, he claimed to have become a millionaire as a teenager. However, criminal proceedings are now pending against him in the canton of Bern for commercial fraud and money laundering.
Yousuf came to Switzerland from Kurdistan as a refugee at the age of three and attracted media attention in Switzerland and abroad as the "Crypto Prince". (SDA/swi)
