A cyclist who was filmed kneeing a young girl out of his way on Christmas Day, 2020 in Belgium is now suing the five-year-old's father for putting the video online. You can see the original video here:
The 62-year-old, who has not been publicly named, was filmed sticking his knee out and knocking Neia Mpasa over whilst she and her family were out for a walk at a nature reserve last Christmas.
Her father, Patrick Mpasa, caught the whole incident on camera and then later shared it online, where many have criticised the actions of the cyclist.
Now, he's taking Mpasa to court over the footage shot that day in Belgium's Liege Province.
If you've watched the video, you might agree with the family of the child, who says that the knee was not accidental.
The man didn't even stop after shunting her onto the floor as she walked along next to her mother and instead, he just carried on cycling off down the path.
Speaking last year, her dad said: "He explained what happened and asked us to withdraw the police complaint, but he showed no remorse and did not apologise."
Mpasa said that he was not seeking revenge on the man by posting the video on the internet, but wanted to 'raise awareness' of dangerous situations that can occur on roads.
He added: "A lot of people tell me that I should have hit him, but I don't agree and, in any case, I was in front of my children, which would have made things even worse for them.
"I also don't want a witch hunt, I just want him to apologise."
The cyclist was found after the video went viral and was seen by the public prosecutor's office and police.
At a court hearing last February, the man said: "When I was riding close to the girl, I felt my rear wheel sliding.
"To avoid a fall, I balanced myself with a movement of my knee.
"I felt that I might have hit the girl, but did not immediately realise she had been knocked over."
He also told the judge that there was not enough room to pass the girl by on the other side, and was eventually not fined or sentenced.
However, now he's filing against the girl's family for defamation of his character.
He claims that the video has left him scared to leave the house and made him feel threatened by the public.
The lawyer for Mpasa, Jacques Engelbert, said: "We have the right to express ourselves. We have the right to post or have posted a video on the internet.
"In this case, we must check whether we have exceeded the limits of this freedom of expression."
The two parties are expected to meet on November 18, with the case set to be heard early next year.
Featured Image Credit: NewsflashTopics: Belgium, Europe, Weird