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Aussie couple risk bankruptcy after defamatory Facebook post which claimed man 'may be Satan'

An Australian couple says they are at risk of bankruptcy over a defamatory post on a community Facebook page.

Matthew and Annette Palmer have been locked in a bizarre legal battle with Nader Mohareb over a post the Scotland Island Community Facebook page warning other residents about Nader Mohareb, who they said was potentially violent and "may be Satan".

The post in July 2014 featured a poster, which had also been displayed around the island, which is located about 30 kilometres north of Sydney.

Nader Mohareb is continuing the pursue his battle with Matthew and Annette Palmer. Photo: Facebook
Nader Mohareb is continuing the pursue his battle with Matthew and Annette Palmer. Photo: Facebook

Fairfax Media reports the “warning”, headlined, “Attention island residents” called Mr Mohareb "a highly volatile individual, prone to manic outbursts ... often abusive and threatening, particularly towards women and children" and "known to police".

The poster, which began as a complaint about the Egyptian-born man’s “agitated and highly excitable" King Charles spaniels, also featured Mr Mohareb’s image.

It was argued the post contained racial themes and also suggested Mr Mohareb “may be Satan”.

Mr Mohareb also argued the post and posters implied he was mentally unstable and violent.

Mr Palmer refused to apologise for the post but backed down after a legal settlement with Mr Mohareb.

The Palmers faced a $15,000 legal bill after the post sparked a fight, which ended in a settlement requiring them to post an apology on the Scotland Island Community pages.


“Mr and Mrs Palmer understand that Mr Mohareb has suffered hurt and harm as a result of Facebook posts about him, which included a poster which had been displayed around Scotland Island,” the apology, posted on May 13 last year, read.

“Whilst they deny that they posted the original poster, they are sorry for any harm that the Facebook posts caused him.

“It is very regrettable that Mr Mohareb says that he has experienced some vandalism as a result of the above publications and we in no way condone this.”

But the Palmers forget to tell the page’s moderator of the deal and the apology was quickly deleted, sparking a second round of legal wrangling which the couple says now threatens to see their bills swell to $80,000, putting them at risk of bankruptcy.

Mr Mohareb is now pursuing the matter through the courts again, accusing Mr Palmer of perjury.

In an unusual move, he has repeatedly asked courts to apply a little known law that would allow Mr Mohareb to prosecute the case himself, although he has had little success to this end to date.

Mr Mohareb’s latest court appeal has a June 4 deadline, however, it's reported Mr Palmer has said he no longer has the means to defend himself, after paying about $80,000 in legal fees over the past year.

"This crusade by Mr Mohareb has bankrupted my family and I have no means to defend his latest appeal," Mr Palmer said.


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