THIS refers to the report ‘Giuliani turns over assets in libel settlement’ (Nov 17) about former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani being required by the United States Federal Court to surrender all his assets to pay $148 million in libel damages. The incident should be an eye-opener and a lesson for our judicial and political system.

Giuliani had falsely accused two election workers of rigging the counting of votes in the 2020 presidential elections. The importance of safeguarding the honour and integrity of ordinary staffers can be gauged by the fact that a powerful person like Giuliani, who is close to president-elect Donald Trump, had to stand trial for libel, and was convicted with a fine of $148 million to compensate the victims of his defamatory remarks.

When he was unable to pay up, he declared himself bankrupt, but the judge ordered him to hand over all his assets. In the end, he was pleading to the judge to let him retain a collectible baseball jersey. This incident speaks volumes about the difference between true justice, as implemented by civilised nations, and the mock justice elsewhere.

Dr Khaver Zia
Lahore

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2024