Doha
A Doha Misdemeanour Court has sentenced three parents of students at a Filipino school to five months suspended jail term for defaming the school, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported on Monday.
They also have to pay a fine of QR1,000 each. Two other parents were cleared of the charges. The school had filed a defamation case against the parents, accusing them of defaming it through social media, after they demanded a reduction in the school fees, which they thought was “unjustifiably hiked.”
Though the parents complained to the school management, the fee increase was eventually enforced. So, the parents posted their comments on social media, which the school considered as bad for its reputation and an insult to the school management.
The defendants denied any wrongdoing before the court and said they only used their legitimate right to protest against the unacceptable hike, the daily added.
