The Viral Video That Sparked a Lawsuit
A Belgian cyclist who garnered widespread attention for an unfortunate event caught on video has recently emerged victorious in a defamation lawsuit. The cyclist, a 63-year-old man whose identity remains undisclosed, was accused of deliberately kneeing a young girl, causing her to fall. The incident led to a legal battle with the girl’s father, Patrick Mpasa, who had uploaded the video to social media platforms.
On Christmas Day 2020, a video circulated across social media platforms depicting the young girl, Neia, and her mother on a nature trail. The cyclist appears from behind and seems to intentionally jut out his knee, leading to the girl’s fall. He then continues on his way, not pausing to offer an apology. The entire incident was filmed by Neia’s father and later posted online.
Belgian cyclist wins defamation lawsuit after video of him kneeing young girl goes viral
The viral event eventually culminated in a courtroom showdown in February 2021. According to the cyclist’s testimony, he extended his knee not with malicious intent but to maintain his balance and avoid a fall. Moreover, he contended that he wasn’t immediately aware that he had caused the young girl to tumble.
Despite the public outcry, the judge ruled in favor of the cyclist, directing him to pay a nominal fine of around $1. The court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the cyclist had intentionally harmed the girl. Additionally, the cyclist had already faced significant public shaming via social media platforms.
Contrary to public perception, Mpasa argues that his intention was not to seek revenge against the cyclist. Instead, he aimed to “raise awareness” regarding the potential hazards of similar incidents. “I am not asking for a witch hunt; I just want an apology,” Mpasa stated in his December 2020 social media post, as corroborated by reports.
In light of the judgment, the cyclist proceeded to file a defamation lawsuit against Mpasa and his family. The court ruled in his favor, with the compensation amount to be determined in an upcoming hearing.
The viral video has stirred a range of opinions from the public and transportation experts alike. Local cycling association GRACQ pointed out that cyclists are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians on nature paths.
This case serves as a cautionary tale on the powerful impact of social media in shaping public opinion and legal outcomes. As we await the court’s final decision on the compensation amount, it raises questions about the ethics of posting potentially damaging content online, especially when the full context may not be clearly understood.
The date for the final hearing on the defamation lawsuit remains undisclosed, leaving many to ponder the long-term consequences of a single viral moment.
