In every digital version of both media about this accusation, NRC and De Limburger must post a link to the verdict, with the text: “The judge has ruled that the accusation published in this article of “favoring tens of thousands of euros” is unlawful in relation to from Knops.”
NRC Media and Mediahuis Limburg also have to pay the legal costs and the invoice from Knops’ lawyer.
Two years ago, the newspapers wrote that Knops would have been favored ‘for tens of thousands of euros’ when purchasing a plot of land that he bought under the so-called ‘room-for-room arrangement’. This scheme provided for the demolition of old pigsties in exchange for housing construction. Knops would have gotten that land too cheaply. Knops himself states that he paid the standard amount.
NRC journalist Joep Dohmen says in a first reaction that Knops has been unsuccessful on almost all points. “We were allowed to write that he is favored,” said Dohmen. “Only the amount that we mentioned, tens of thousands of euros, is according to the court insufficiently substantiated, and that must be rectified.”
NRC and De Limburger are still going to discuss whether an appeal will be lodged.
In his speech on May 12, Knops stood up in court for “victims of the Dohmen gang”, referring to NRC journalist Joep Dohmen. “Many are traumatized, scared and ruined,” said Knops in his plea note, which was tweeted by Dohmen. “The same pattern every time. Brutal, intimidating, reversing the burden of proof and ‘hearing both sides’ as a checklist.”
The current CDA MP spoke in this regard about slander, slander and anonymous sources.