Paul Tweed

An apology from Dr Andreas Krieg was read out in Northern Ireland’s High Court this morning, concluding legal proceedings which began in February 2024.

The court previously handed down a preliminary ruling in September 2025 on the meaning of the impugned words.

As part of the settlement agreement, Dr Krieg will donate an undisclosed sum to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). He will not pay any damages to Mr Tweed.

In a statement, Dr Krieg said: “In my book, ‘Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization of Narratives’, I made a number of false, unfair and defamatory allegations and inferences relating to the work of the international media lawyer, Paul Tweed.

“I regret that Mr Tweed was collateral damage in my critical agenda relating to the UAE.

“I unreservedly retract these totally unfounded allegations and sincerely apologise to Mr Tweed for questioning his impartiality and integrity and for the untrue allegations, which I never should have made or published in the first place.

“I have also deleted a tweet referring to Mr Tweed’s work, which the court has found to be defamatory.

“In addition to the other terms of settlement, as a mark of my regret and at Mr Tweed’s request, I am making a charitable donation to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).”

Welcoming the settlement, Mr Tweed said: “I am very satisfied with Dr Krieg’s unreserved and categoric apology to me before the High Court in Belfast this morning, along with his request to the publishers, Georgetown University Press, that they withdraw and destroy all remaining copies of the book.

“Dr Krieg has admitted that I have been collateral damage in his agenda against the UAE and it is most disappointing that my professionalism was ever called into question in such circumstances. I remain of the firm view that Dr Krieg’s close association with the State of Qatar should have been made clear to readers of his book.

“It is disappointing that King’s College London continued to lend institutional credibility to the book and promote it on their research portal for several years, notwithstanding repeated notice of the nature of its content.

“Dr Krieg was afforded every opportunity at the outset to withdraw his defamatory allegations and thereby avoid the significant legal costs and lengthy litigation process that followed. This case was never driven by financial motivation. My sole concern had been to vindicate my reputation, not to seek monetary damages.

“In that context no financial compensation has been pursued. Instead, Dr Krieg has made a discretionary donation to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), at my request.

“Finally, I would point out that no lawyer should come under attack for doing their job as it serves only to undermine the rule of law and integrity of the entire legal system.”