The widow of film director Xie Jin has sued a well-known celebrity gossip writer for 500,000 yuan (HK$568,000) in damages at a Shanghai court after the blogger claimed the filmmaker died while having sex with a prostitute at a hotel.
Song Zude, 40, a widely- read gossip writer, filed a story claiming that the 85-year-old had been with a prostitute when he died.
Xie was a respected director and Song's remarks caused a storm on the internet and made headlines in tabloid newspapers.
Xie's widow, Xu Dawen, presented 49 pieces of evidence at the hearing at Jingan District People's Court on Tuesday, including blog items and media interviews. In addition to compensation, she demanded Song and co-defendant Liu Xinda publish an apology.
In an interview with portal 163.com, Ms Xu said she would fight to the end to clear her husband's reputation. Liu, Song's twin brother and business partner, claimed to have seen Xie in the hotel.
Despite Song's previous vow to show up and defend himself, neither Song nor Liu appeared in court. Their lawyer did not present evidence but denied that Song had made the remarks about the prostitute. He said hackers had posted the articles.
