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Mironov’s suit against Zhirinovsky to be considered in court on November 28

It would be a timely reminder for every public figure that one has to bear responsibility for one’s words - Mironov

MOSCOW, November 7 (Itar-Tass) — A court in Moscow has scheduled for November 28 hearings on a lawsuit for the protection of honor and dignity filed by the leader of the Fair Russia party, Sergei Mironov, against LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the Fair Russia faction in the State Duma told Itar-Tass. The faction said that the court held preliminary hearings on the case and the plaintiff’s representative specified the claims, while the defendant’s lawyers asked for turning them down.

As is known, the lawsuit followed Zhirinovsky’s statements he made in a televised pre-election duel on September 15, in which he confronted Fair Russia’s Nikolai Levichev. In part, Zhirinovsky accused Mironov of taking bribes from those eager to get seats in the Federation Council.

Commenting on the forthcoming court hearings, Mironov said that it would be a timely reminder for every public figure that one has to bear responsibility for one’s words.

"Vladimir Zhirinovsky is a man of great talent and mental faculties, of course. But we see him as an example of what happens to people who become hostages of the image they have created themselves," he said. "Shocking behavior, exaltation, aggressive demeanor - someone may find this attractive and funny. But actually there nothing very funny about Zhirinovsky's escapades. Because they turn public politic into a cheep marketplace show," said the leader of Fair Russia. He believes that "this, perhaps is the task of Zhirinovsky – to push the serious, thoughtful people who are sickened by his clowning away from politics." Therefore, Zhirinovsky must be stopped. In particular, with legal procedures," Mironov said.

He reiterated that he would not demand a monetary compensation. "I demand a public apology for the public lies," he said.

The Fair Russia leader welcomed the fact that the trial coincided with the parliamentary election campaign.

"In this affair there is nothing political. But it involves politicians. This is a timely reminder for every public figure that one must be responsible for what has been said," he concluded.