Defamation of character

Ibiza detective rebuffs Westenthaler

Julian Hessenthaler went to court because the blue foundation board called him a "criminal drug dealer" on krone.tv. He had filed a private lawsuit for defamation and damage to credit.

Showdown between the blue ORF foundation board member Peter Westenthaler and Ibiza filmmaker Julian Hessenthaler in Vienna's Landl district. It is about a private lawsuit that Hessenthaler has brought against the ex-FPÖ politician for defamation and damage to credit. The reason: On krone.tv, Westenthaler called the 44-year-old a "criminal drug dealer" after he had been invited to the program "Im Zentrum". Hessenthaler was sentenced to prison in 2022.

"In the present tense," says Hessenthaler, who claims not to be "thin-skinned". "If someone calls me a criminal drug dealer, I can only understand them as calling me a criminal who is currently selling drugs," he says, explaining his private accusation. Moreover, Westenthaler should have known better. Especially as he himself has been involved in defamation proceedings.

"I have no reason to discredit Mr. Hessenthaler. I criticized the ORF in my role as a member of the Board of Trustees. That is my job," argues Westenthaler, who is represented by lawyer Volkert Sackmann.

Judge Christian Noe follows this line of argument and acquits the 57-year-old after an hour-long hearing. Westenthaler's wording was covered by the right to express an opinion. Oliver Scherbaum, who represents the "Ibiza detective", is now considering an appeal against the decision.