2005
Internet essayist Zhang Lin sentenced to five years in prison
New York, August 2, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the five-year prison sentence, followed by four years of deprivation of political rights, handed to freelance Internet journalist Zhang Lin on charges of inciting subversion. Zhang Lin’s family and lawyer Mo Shaoping received notice this morning that the Intermediate People’s Court of Bengbu in central…
Kremlin moves to bar ABC from reporting in Russia
New York, August 2, 2005—The Kremlin escalated its campaign of intimidation against foreign news media covering the war in Chechnya as authorities began moving today to bar the U.S. television network ABC from reporting in Russia. The Committee to Protect Journalists denounced the decision and called for its reversal.
Prosecutor says Gongadze probe moves to new phase
New York, August 2, 2005—The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office announced last night that it has completed the first part of its investigation into the 2000 murder of Georgy Gongadze, editor of the independent news Web site Ukrainska Pravda (Ukrainian Truth). Yuri Boychenko, a spokesman for the prosecutor, said yesterday that authorities have identified the suspects who…
TAJIKISTAN
JULY 28, 2005 Posted: August 2, 2005 Jumaboy Tolibov, freelance IMPRISONED A judge in northern Tajikistan sentenced independent journalist Jumaboy Tolibov to two years in a prison colony on charges of hooliganism, illegally entering a residence, and abusing his office as a local government administrator, according to local and international reports. The defense said it…
UZBEKISTAN
JULY 18, 2005 Posted: August 2, 2005 Khalida Anarbayeva, Internews Network Olga Narmuradova, Internews Network LEGAL ACTION Former director Anarbayeva and accountant Narmuradova went on trial July 18 at the Yakkasaroy District Court in Tashkent. They faced up to six months in prison if convicted on charges of publishing information and producing videos without a…
UZBEKISTAN
JULY 18, 2005 Posted: August 2, 2005 Erkin Yakubjanov, International Media Support IMPRISONED Yakubjanov was detained for 11 days without charge. Yakubjanov was taken into custody by Uzbek border guards at the Dustlik checkpoint as he tried to cross into the Uzbek side of the Ferghana Valley. Yakubjanov was traveling to Andijan to prepare a…
NEPAL
AUGUST 1, 2005 Posted: August 2, 2005 Harihar Singh Rathour, Kantipur and Kathmandu PostPushkar Thapa, Annapurna Post Kamal Neupane, Nepal Samacharpatra HARASSED Security forces in Nepal’s mid-western Dailekh district harassed the three journalists in retaliation for their reports alleging that the Royal Nepalese Army recruited children to work as informants.
Uzbek leader urged to end harassment of independent press
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about your regime’s ongoing crackdown on independent journalists and media. Your government’s actions are especially troubling in the aftermath of the May 13 unrest in the northeast city of Andijan, during which security forces opened fire on antigovernment demonstrators, killing between 500 and 1,000 civilians, according to local and international human rights organizations and eyewitness accounts.
CPJ condemns harassment of journalists by Royal Nepalese Army
New York, August 1, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the harassment and intimidation of three journalists by security forces in Nepal’s mid-western Dailekh district in retaliation for their reports alleging that the Royal Nepalese Army is recruiting children to work as informants. Harihar Singh Rathour, a reporter for Kantipur daily and Kathmandu Post; Pushkar…