STRASBOURG-- David Petrie, chair of the Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy, has had his appeal against the dismissal of his action in a defamation case rejected. 

 The ruling took place at the European Court of Human Rights, where the judges found that Article eight, concerning Petrie's right to respect for private and family life, had not been violated by the dismissal of said action. 

 Lorenzo Picotti, Petrie's lawyer, commented "despite this disappointment, I will be examining whether or not an appeal should be lodged under Article 73 of the Court regulations." 

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