"Reuters is putting mounting pressure" on Iranian female Ninjas to drop defamation suit (PressTV-Iran)

They don't know who they's messing with:

Reuters is putting mounting pressure on Iranian ninjas to withdraw their complaint against the news agency over a February report that branded them as Iran's "assassins," Press TV has learned.

Reuters' officials have repeatedly contacted the trainer of Iranian ninjas, warning him against pursuing the legal case. Iranian female ninjas have filed defamation charges against Reuters after the news agency accused them of being killers for hire. Reuters also faces a lawsuit from the Iranian government over the same report.

Press TV has learned that both London officials and Tehran personnel of the news agency are trying intimidation and enticement tactics to prevent a court hearing involving private plaintiffs.

This comes after a court hearing has been scheduled for late September.

The Iranian ninjas say they are determined to take Reuters to court.

“The lady from Reuters asked me only one question which had a very obvious answer. I believe that anyone anywhere in the world would defend his country if it were attacked…but she twisted our words to make us look bad and described us as assassins,” Khatereh Jalilzadeh, a Ninja trainee, told Press TV of the interview she gave to the news agency that was later used in the Reuters report.

“We are taking legal action because the ladies that train in Ninjutsu first and foremost enjoy it as a sport. It's about working out and staying fit. Reuters has blatantly lied about us,” she added.

Another female Ninja said the Reuters' report can definitely be a problem.

‏ ‏ “It can harm our chances to travel to other countries to take part in global tournaments and international championships because Reuters is considered by many to be a reliable source,” said Raheleh Davoudzadeh, another martial artist.

Akbar Faraji, who established Ninjutsu in Iran over 22 years ago, condemned the British media accusations, saying his students will pursue the complaint to the end.

"Reuters has introduced us as assassins to the whole world. The truth must come to light and everyone should know that we are only a group of athletes,” he said.

Press TV contacted the Reuters bureau chief in Tehran to seek her reaction but she refused to make any comments.

I can certainly understand that.