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Post by Taxigirl on Nov 28, 2003 10:02:01 GMT
 A court in Paris is due to give its verdict in the trial of three photographers accused of breaching the country's strict privacy rules by photographing Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed on the night of their fatal car crash six years ago. The three photographers - Jacques Langevin of the Sygma/Corbis agency, Christian Martinez of the Angelis agency and freelancer Eric Chassery - were among eight paparazzi who followed Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed the night they died in a Paris underpass. This trial is the result of a civil suit filed by Dodi's father, Mohammed Al Fayed. He claims that under French privacy laws, the photographs of the princess and his son on 31 August 1997, should never have been taken. A case brought by a French celebrity a few years ago established the legal precedent that a car could be considered a private space, meaning that the paparazzi should have asked permission before taking the photos. However, lawyers for the three men argued in court that both Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed had actively courted publicity at times, with their friends sometimes tipping off the press as to their whereabouts. The defence also pointed out that the photos in question had never been published. Against that, Mr Al Fayed's lawyer argued that the photographers' pursuit of lucrative images of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed amounted to nothing less than a manhunt. He has asked the court to send a signal limiting the freedom of the paparazzi and asking for the three photographers to be fined a symbolic one Euro each in damages. |
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Post by Salem6 on Nov 28, 2003 16:17:34 GMT
Three photographers have been acquitted of invading Princess Diana's privacy by taking pictures of her and Dodi Al Fayed on the night they died. Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed died in the crashJacques Langevin, Christian Martinez and Eric Chassery were among paparazzi following the couple in Paris in 1997. The trial was the result of a civil suit filed by Mohammed Al Fayed who said that under privacy laws, the pictures should never have been taken. Mr Al Fayed's lawyers have five days to appeal against the decision. The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says the verdict took less than 30 seconds to be delivered. None of the three men were in court. However, the lawyer for Mr Chassery said he was delighted with the court's decision, which he described as a bright judgement in the interests of the freedom of the press. Precedent This is the first time that the events of 31 August 1997 have come to court. The three were originally among nine photographers investigated on manslaughter charges. These were dropped, prompting Mr Al Fayed to make a criminal complaint. A case brought by a French celebrity a few years ago established the legal precedent that a car could be considered a private space, meaning that the paparazzi should have asked permission before taking photos of the interior of the limousine. However, lawyers for the three men argued in court that both Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed had actively courted publicity at times, with their friends sometimes tipping off the press as to their whereabouts. The defence also pointed out that the photos in question had never been published. Against that, Mr Al Fayed's lawyer had argued that the photographers' pursuit of lucrative images of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed amounted to nothing less than a manhunt. He had asked the court to send a signal limiting the freedom of the paparazzi and asking for the three photographers to be fined a symbolic one euro each in damages. Video:- The BBC's Caroline Wyatt
"The verdict itself took less than thirty seconds to deliver"
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39540000/rm/_39540768_paparazzie13_wyatt_vi.ram |
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